bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ethnographic action research study to investigate the experiences of Bindjareb women participating in the cooking and nutrition component of an Aboriginal health promotion programme in regional Western Australia
Authors: Nilson Caroline , Kearing-Salmon Karrie-Anne , Morrison Paul , Fetherston Catherine
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate the experiences of women participating in a cooking and nutrition component of a health promotion research initiative in an Australian Aboriginal regional community.

Design

Weekly facilitated cooking and nutrition classes were conducted during school terms over 12 months. An ethnographic action research study was conducted for the programme duration with data gathered by participant and direct observation, four yarning groups and six individual yarning sessions. The aim was to determine the ways the cooking and nutrition component facilitated lifestyle change, enabled engagement, encouraged community ownership and influenced community action.

Setting

Regional Bindjareb community in the Nyungar nation of Western Australia.

Subjects

A sample of seventeen Aboriginal women aged between 18 and 60 years from the two kinships in two towns in one shire took part in the study. The recruitment and consent process was managed by community Elders and leaders.

Results

Major themes emerged highlighting the development of participants and their recognition of the need for change: the impact of history on current nutritional health of Indigenous Australians; acknowledging shame; challenges of change around nutrition and healthy eating; the undermining effect of mistrust and limited resources; the importance of community control when developing health promotion programmes; finding life purpose through learning; and the need for planning and partnerships to achieve community determination.

Conclusions

Suggested principles for developing cooking and nutrition interventions are: consideration of community needs; understanding the impact of historical factors on health; understanding family and community tensions; and the engagement of long-term partnerships to develop community determination.
Breast-feeding and postpartum weight retention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: He Xiujie , Zhu Meng , Hu Chuanlai , Tao Xingyong , Li Yingchun , Wang Qiuwei , Liu Yue
Published: July 2015

Objective

Weight gained during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention might contribute to obesity in women of childbearing age. Whether breast-feeding (BF) may decrease postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is still controversial. The purpose of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between BF and PPWR.

Design

Three databases were systematically reviewed and the reference lists of relevant articles were checked. Meta-analysis was performed to quantify the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) of BF on PPWR by using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was tested using theχ2test andI2statistics. Publication bias was estimated from Egger’s test (linear regression method) or Begg’s test (rank correlation method).

Results

Among 349 search hits, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Seven studies were conducted in the USA, one in Brazil, one in France, one in Georgia and one in Croatia. Compared with formula-feeding, BF for 3 to ≤6 months seemed to have a negative influence on PPWR and if BF continued for >6 months had little or no influence on PPWR. In a subgroup meta-analysis, the results did not change substantially after the analysis had been classified by available confounding factors. There was no indication of a publication bias from the result of either Egger’s test or Begg’s test.

Conclusions

Although the available evidence held belief that BF decreases PPWR, more robust studies are needed to reliably assess the impact of patterns and duration of BF on PPWR.
Secular changes in intakes of foods among New Zealand adults from 1997 to 2008/09
Authors: Smith Claire , Gray Andrew R , Mainvil Louise A , Fleming Elizabeth A , Parnell Winsome R
Published: July 2015

Objective

To examine changes in the food choices of New Zealand (NZ) adults, between the 1997 National Nutrition Survey (NNS97) and the 2008/09 NZ Adult Nutrition Survey (2008/09 NZANS).

Design

The 2008/09 NZANS and the NNS97 were cross-sectional surveys of NZ adults (aged 15 years and over). Dietary intake data were collected using a computer-based 24 h diet recall. Logistic regression models were used to examine changes over time in the percentage reporting each food group, with survey year, sex and age group (19–30 years, 31–50 years, 51–70 years, ≥71 years) as the variables.

Setting

NZ households.

Subjects

Adults aged 19 years and over (NNS97, n 4339; 2008/09 NZANS, n 3995).

Results

In the 2008/09 NZANS compared with NNS97, males and females were less likely to report consuming bread, potatoes, beef, vegetables, breakfast cereal, milk, cheese, butter, pies, biscuits, cakes and puddings, and sugar/confectionery (all P<0·001). In contrast, there was an increase in the percentage reporting rice and rice dishes (P<0·001), and among females a reported increase in snacks and snack bars (e.g. crisps, extruded snacks, muesli bars; P=0·007) and pasta and pasta dishes (P=0·017). Although food choices were associated with sex and age group, there were few differential changes between the surveys by sex or age group.

Conclusions

For all age groups there was a shift in the percentage who reported consuming the traditional NZ foods, namely bread, beef, potatoes and vegetables, towards more rice and rice dishes. Declines in the consumption of butter, pies, biscuits, cakes and puddings are congruent with current dietary guidelines.
Ethnic differences in dietary intake at age 12 and 18 months: the Born in Bradford 1000 Study
Authors: Sahota Pinki , Gatenby Lisa A , Greenwood Darren C , Bryant Maria , Robinson Sian , Wright John
Published: July 2015

Objective

To compare the intake of key indicator foods at age 12 months and 18 months between infants of Pakistani and White British origin.

Design

Logistic regression was used to model associations between ethnicity and consumption of key indicator foods defined by high or low energy density using an FFQ at age 12 and 18 months.

Setting

Born in Bradford 1000 study, Bradford, UK.

Subjects

Infants (n 1259; 38 % White British, 49 % Pakistani), mean age 12·7 (sd 1·0) months and toddlers (n 1257; 37 % White British, 49 % Pakistani), mean age 18·7 (sd1·0) months.

Results

At 12 months, Pakistani infants consumed more commercial sweet baby meals than White British infants, with greater odds for being above average consumers (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·90; 95 % CI 1·40, 2·56), more chips/roast potatoes (AOR=2·75; 95 % CI 2·09, 3·62), less processed meat products (AOR=0·11; 95 % CI 0·08, 0·15), more fruit (AOR=2·20; 95 % CI 1·70, 2·85) and more sugar-sweetened drinks (AOR=1·68; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·18). At 18 months these differences persisted, with Pakistani infants consuming more commercial sweet baby meals (AOR=4·57; 95 % CI 2·49, 8·39), more chips/roast potato shapes (AOR=2·26; 95 % CI 1·50, 3·43), more fruit (AOR=1·40; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·81), more sugar-sweetened drinks (AOR=2·03; 95 % CI 1·53, 2·70), more pure fruit juice (AOR=1·82; 95 % CI 1·40, 2·35), more water (AOR=3·24; 95 % CI 2·46, 4·25) and less processed meat (AOR=0·10; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·15) than White British infants.

Conclusions

Dietary intake during infancy and the early toddlerhood period is associated with ethnicity, suggesting the importance of early and culturally adapted interventions aimed at establishing healthy eating behaviours.
Effect of a nutrition education programme on clinical status and dietary behaviours of adults with type 2 diabetes in a resource-limited setting in South Africa: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Muchiri Jane W , Gericke Gerda J , Rheeder Paul
Published: July 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a participant-customised nutrition education programme on glycated Hb (HbA1c), blood lipids, blood pressure, BMI and dietary behaviours in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design

A randomised controlled trial. The control group (n 41) received education materials. The intervention group (n 41) received the same education materials and participated in eight weekly (2–2·5 h) group nutrition education sessions and follow-up sessions. Outcomes were assessed at 6 and 12 months. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. ANCOVA compared the groups (adjustments for baseline values, age, sex and clinic).

Setting

Two community health centres, Moretele sub-district (North West Province), South Africa.

Subjects

Adults (aged 40–70 years) with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c ≥8 %.

Results

Differences in HbA1c (primary outcome) were −0·64 % (P=0·15) at 6 months and −0·63 % (P=0·16) at 12 months in favour of the intervention group. Starchy-food intake was significantly lower in the intervention group, 9·3 v. 10·8 servings/d (P=0·005) at 6 months and 9·9 v. 11·9 servings/d (P=0·017) at 12 months. Median energy intake was significantly lower in the intervention group at 12 months (5988 v. 6946 kJ/d, P=0·017). No significant group differences in BMI, lipid profile, blood pressure and intakes of macronutrients, vegetables and fruits were observed.

Conclusions

Nutrition education was not efficacious on HbA1c; however, it improved specific dietary behaviours. Group education and hands-on activities appeared to contribute to the improvement. Optimal goal setting and self-efficacy training/assessment could benefit future nutrition education programmes for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in resource-limited settings.
Investigating sex differences in psychological predictors of snack intake among a large representative sample
Authors: Adriaanse Marieke A , Evers Catharine , Verhoeven Aukje AC , de Ridder Denise TD
Published: July 2015

Objective

It is often assumed that there are substantial sex differences in eating behaviour (e.g. women are more likely to be dieters or emotional eaters than men). The present study investigates this assumption in a large representative community sample while incorporating a comprehensive set of psychological eating-related variables.

Design

A community sample was employed to: (i) determine sex differences in (un)healthy snack consumption and psychological eating-related variables (e.g. emotional eating, intention to eat healthily); (ii) examine whether sex predicts energy intake from (un)healthy snacks over and above psychological variables; and (iii) investigate the relationship between psychological variables and snack intake for men and women separately. Snack consumption was assessed with a 7d snack diary; the psychological eating-related variables with questionnaires.

Setting

Participants were members of an Internet survey panel that is based on a true probability sample of households in the Netherlands.

Subjects

Men and women (n 1292; 45 % male), with a mean age of 51·23 (sd 16·78) years and a mean BMI of 25·62 (sd 4·75) kg/m2.

Results

Results revealed that women consumed more healthy and less unhealthy snacks than men and they scored higher than men on emotional and restrained eating. Women also more often reported appearance and health-related concerns about their eating behaviour, but men and women did not differ with regard to external eating or their intentions to eat more healthily. The relationships between psychological eating-related variables and snack intake were similar for men and women, indicating that snack intake is predicted by the same variables for men and women.

Conclusions

It is concluded that some small sex differences in psychological eating-related variables exist, but based on the present data there is no need for interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating to target different predictors according to sex.
Patterns of fruit and vegetable availability and price competitiveness across four seasons are different in local food outlets and supermarkets
Authors: Valpiani Natalie , Wilde Parke , Rogers Beatrice , Stewart Hayden
Published: July 2015

Objective

To explore the effect of seasonality on fruit and vegetable availability and prices across three outlet types (farmers’ markets, roadside stands and conventional supermarkets).

Design

Cross-sectional survey of geographically clustered supermarkets, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Enumerators recorded the availability and lowest price for eleven fruits and eighteen vegetables in each season of 2011.

Setting

Price data were collected at retail outlets located in central and eastern North Carolina.

Subjects

The sample consisted of thirty-three supermarkets, thirty-four farmers’ markets and twenty-three roadside stands.

Results

Outside the local harvest season, the availability of many fruits and vegetables was substantially lower at farmers’ markets and roadside stands compared with supermarkets. Given sufficient availability, some items were significantly cheaper (P<0·05) at direct retail outlets in the peak season (e.g. cantaloupe cost 36·0 % less at roadside stands than supermarkets), while others were significantly more expensive (e.g. carrots cost 137·9 % more at farmers’ markets than supermarkets). Although small samples limited statistical power in many non-peak comparisons, these results also showed some differences by item: two-thirds of fruits were cheaper at one or both direct outlets in the spring and autumn, whereas five of eighteen vegetables cost more at direct retail year-round.

Conclusions

Commonly consumed fruits and vegetables were more widely available at supermarkets in central and eastern North Carolina than at direct retail outlets, in each season. Contingent on item availability, price competitiveness of the direct retail outlets varied by fruit and vegetable. For many items, the outlets compete on price in more than one season.
Weight expectations, motivations for weight change and perceived factors influencing weight management in young Australian women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Holley Talisha J , Collins Clare E , Morgan Philip J , Callister Robin , Hutchesson Melinda J
Published: July 2015

Objective

To examine young Australian women’s weight expectations, motivations for weight change and perceived factors influencing weight management, and to determine if these factors differ by age, BMI, marital status, education or income.

Design

Cross-sectional study. An online survey captured respondents’ weight, height, ideal weight, main reasons for wanting to change their weight and challenges to managing their weight.

Setting

Online survey in Australia.

Subjects

Six hundred and twenty women aged 18–30 years currently living in Australia who completed the survey between 31 July and 30 September 2012.

Results

Approximately half of participants (53·1 %) were a healthy weight, 25·2 % overweight and 19·0 % obese. Women unhappy at their current weight (78·1 %) reported a median ideal weight −12·3 % less than their current weight. The key motivators for weight change were to improve health (24·4 %, ranked 1), feel better in oneself (22·3 %) and improve self-confidence (21·5 %). Lack of motivation, time constraints because of job commitments and cost were the most commonly reported factors influencing weight management. Age, BMI, marital status, education and income were found to influence weight expectations, motivations for weight change and/or factors perceived to influence weight management.

Conclusions

The findings suggest potential implications for weight management interventions and public health messaging targeting young women, to improve long-term health outcomes. Strategies that promote the health benefits of physical activity and healthy eating, feeling better about oneself and improved self-confidence, and address the main factors influencing weight management including lack of motivation, time constraints and cost, may be used to engage this target group.
Calcium, vitamin D, casein and whey protein intakes and periodontitis among Danish adults
Authors: Adegboye Amanda RA , Boucher Barbara J , Kongstad Johanne , Fiehn Nils-Erik , Christensen Lisa B , Heitmann Berit L
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate whether intakes of Ca, vitamin D, casein and whey are associated with periodontitis and to investigate the possibility of interactions between them.

Design

Cross-sectional study. An Internet-based, 267-item FFQ was used to assess dietary intake. Intakes of casein (32·0 g/d), whey proteins (9·6 g/d) and vitamin D (5·8 μg/d) were classified as withinv.above the 50th percentile. Ca intake was classified as withinv.below age-specific recommendations. Severe periodontitis was defined as having ≥2 inter-proximal sites with clinical attachment loss ≥6 mm (not on the same tooth) and ≥1 inter-proximal site with pocket depth ≥5 mm. Since vitamin D influences Ca absorption, models were stratified by lower and higher (<5·8v. ≥5·8 µg/d) vitamin D intake.

Setting

Danish Health Examination Survey (DANHES) 2007–2008.

Subjects

Adult participants (n3287) in the oral health study of DANHES 2007–2008.

Results

Intakes of Ca within recommendations (OR=0·76; 95 % CI 0·58, 0·99), whey ≥9·6 g/d (OR=0·75; 95 % CI 0·58, 0·97) and casein ≥32 g/d (OR=0·75 95 % CI 0·58, 0·97) were associated with lower likelihood of severe periodontitis after adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, sucrose intake, alcohol consumption, number of teeth, daily brushing, regular visits to the dentist and chronic illness, irrespective of vitamin D intake levels. Intake of vitamin D alone was not associated severe with periodontitis.

Conclusions

Intakes of Ca, casein and whey protein were inversely associated with periodontitis. Consumption of foods rich in Ca, casein and whey (e.g. dairy foods) should be promoted, as they may contribute to the prevention of periodontitis. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these associations.
Encouraging vegetable intake as a snack among children: the influence of portion and unit size
Authors: van Kleef Ellen , Bruggers Ilse , de Vet Emely
Published: July 2015

Objective

People eat more unhealthy foods when served more (portion size effect) and when the food is served in larger units (unit size effect). The present study aimed to examine whether these effects can be used for the good: to increase vegetable consumption among children.

Design

A 2×2 between-subjects experiment was conducted at two schools. Pupils were presented in class with cucumber that varied both in unit size (one piece v. pre-sliced) and portion size (one-third v. two-thirds of a cucumber). Children ate ad libitum during the morning break and filled in a survey.

Setting

Primary schools in the centre of the Netherlands.

Subjects

Primary-school pupils (n 255) aged 8–13 years.

Results

Children ate 54 % more cucumber when served a large compared with a smaller portion (difference of 49 g; P<0·001). Large units did not impact consumption (P=0·58), but were considered as less convenient to eat than small units (P=0·001).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that children’s vegetable intake can be improved by serving larger portions in smaller-sized pieces.
Bone Diagenesis and its Implication for Disease Diagnosis: The Relevance of Bone Microstructure Analysis for the Study of Past Human Remains
Authors: Assis Sandra , Keenleyside Anne , Santos Ana Luísa , Cardoso Francisca Alves
Published: July 2015

When bone is exposed to the burial environment it may experience structural changes induced by multiple agents. The study of postmortem alterations is important to differentiate decomposition phenomena from normal physiological processes or pathological lesions, as well as to assess bone tissue quality. Microscopy is of great utility to evaluate the integrity of bone microstructure and it provides significant data on long-term bone decomposition. A total of 18 human bone sections (eight archeological and ten retrieved from an identified skeletal collection) were selected for analysis under plane light and polarized light. The aim of this exploratory study was to analyze the impact of diagenesis and taphonomy on the bone microstructure, as well as on the differential diagnosis of pathological conditions. The results showed that the microscopy approach to bone tissues contributed materially as an aid in the detailed description of the main diagenetic changes observed. It showed that gross inspection does not provide a realistic assessment of bone tissue preservation, which can impact in the characterization of lesions present and subsequent disease diagnosis. Therefore, researchers should continue to consider the application of histological techniques if the aim is to comprehend tissue integrity and its association with decomposition or disease.
Defined benefit pension schemes: a welfare analysis of risk sharing and labour market distortions
Authors: DRAPER NICK , WESTERHOUT ED , NIBBELINK ANDRÉ
Published: July 2015

Traditionally, collective defined benefit pension schemes have played an important role in the provision of pensions. Various trends such as population ageing put these schemes under serious pressure, however. Whether this is good or bad depends among other things on two factors: one is the value of the risk sharing between generations that is organized by pension schemes, and another is the cost of the distortions of labour supply decisions that these collective schemes imply. This paper constructs a model with overlapping generations of households and a pension scheme to assess the role of these two factors. The paper finds that the welfare gain from intergenerational risk sharing generally dominates the cost of labour supply distortions.
The effect of a pathology clinic on the mental state and adjustment of patients with breast cancer
Authors: Nagashima-Nishimaki Miyuki , Taniyama Kiyomi , Minami Hanae , Takebayashi Minoru
Published: July 2015

Objective:

In this study, we examine whether a pathology clinic, conducted by pathologists, a novel medical tool that provides an explanation for the diagnosis of a cancer, can influence the mental state and adjustment of breast cancer patients.

Method:

We created a paper-based questionnaire and interviewed targeted breast cancer patients, who had undergone radical surgery, before and after they visited the clinic.

Results:

We found that there may be increased motivation for treatment, a greater sense of reassurance, and reduced anxiety (as indicated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) in the group that attended the clinic.

Significance of Results:

Our results suggest that visiting the pathology clinic may reduce anxiety over the short term. On the other hand, Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Anxious Preoccupation scores were significantly higher in this group as well, both before and after attendance, compared to the group that did not attend. The attending group may have reduced anxiety by such actions as collecting medical data on the cause of their anxiety and adopting healthier behaviors. Our findings suggest that appropriate emotional support and provision of medical information are very important in dealing with patient anxiety.
Lay Brothers: The Other Men in the Mendicant Orders of New Spain
Authors: Lavrin Asunción
Published: July 2015

In 1556 Franciscan missionaries from the city of Mexico arrived in the then remote area of Zacatecas to begin what was expected to be a crucial but difficult evangelization of the area. They had been preceded by several other brothers who had not settled there despite having spent several years in catechizing the indigenous. The intention of these four missionaries was to stay and found a convent. Along with Fr. Pedro de Espinareda and Fr. Diego de la Cadena came one lay brother, Fr. Jacinto de San Francisco, and onedonadosimply called Lucas. Fr. Joseph Arlegui, chronicler of the order, assumed the presence of those friars would lay the foundation for the difficult task of evangelizing such distant lands and such unwilling peoples.
A widespread plant-fungal-bacterial symbiosis promotes plant biodiversity, plant nutrition and seedling recruitment
Authors: van der Heijden Marcel G A , de Bruin Susanne , Luckerhoff Ludo , van Logtestijn Richard S P , Schlaeppi Klaus
Published: July 2015

Highly diverse microbial assemblages colonize plant roots. It is still poorly understood whether different members of this root microbiome act synergistically by supplying different services (for example, different limiting nutrients) to plants and plant communities. In order to test this, we manipulated the presence of two widespread plant root symbionts, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria in model grassland communities established in axenic microcosms. Here, we demonstrate that both symbionts complement each other resulting in increased plant diversity, enhanced seedling recruitment and improved nutrient acquisition compared with a single symbiont situation. Legume seedlings obtained up to 15-fold higher productivity if they formed an association with both symbionts, opposed to productivity they reached with only one symbiont. Our results reveal the importance of functional diversity of symbionts and demonstrate that different members of the root microbiome can complement each other in acquiring different limiting nutrients and in driving important ecosystem functions.
Climate-induced variations in global wildfire danger from 1979 to 2013
Authors: Jolly W. Matt , Cochrane Mark A. , Freeborn Patrick H. , Holden Zachary A. , Brown Timothy J. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: July 2015

Climate strongly influences global wildfire activity, and recent wildfire surges may signal fire weather-induced pyrogeographic shifts. Here we use three daily global climate data sets and three fire danger indices to develop a simple annual metric of fire weather season length, and map spatio-temporal trends from 1979 to 2013. We show that fire weather seasons have lengthened across 29.6 million km2 (25.3%) of the Earth’s vegetated surface, resulting in an 18.7% increase in global mean fire weather season length. We also show a doubling (108.1% increase) of global burnable area affected by long fire weather seasons (>1.0 σ above the historical mean) and an increased global frequency of long fire weather seasons across 62.4 million km2 (53.4%) during the second half of the study period. If these fire weather changes are coupled with ignition sources and available fuel, they could markedly impact global ecosystems, societies, economies and climate.
Optomechanically-induced transparency in parity-time-symmetric microresonators
Authors: Jing H. , Özdemir Şahin K. , Geng Z. , Zhang Jing , Lü Xin-You , Peng Bo , Yang Lan , Nori Franco
Published: July 2015

Optomechanically-induced transparency (OMIT) and the associated slowing of light provide the basis for storing photons in nanoscale devices. Here we study OMIT in parity-time (PT)-symmetric microresonators with a tunable gain-to-loss ratio. This system features a sideband-reversed, non-amplifying transparency , i.e., an inverted-OMIT. When the gain-to-loss ratio is varied, the system exhibits a transition from a PT-symmetric phase to a broken-PT-symmetric phase. This PT-phase transition results in the reversal of the pump and gain dependence of the transmission rates. Moreover, we show that by tuning the pump power at a fixed gain-to-loss ratio, or the gain-to-loss ratio at a fixed pump power, one can switch from slow to fast light and vice versa. These findings provide new tools for controlling light propagation using nanofabricated phononic devices.
Quantum Emulation of Gravitational Waves
Authors: Fernandez-Corbaton Ivan , Cirio Mauro , Büse Alexander , Lamata Lucas , Solano Enrique , Molina-Terriza Gabriel
Published: July 2015

Gravitational waves, as predicted by Einstein’s general relativity theory, appear as ripples in the fabric of spacetime traveling at the speed of light. We prove that the propagation of small amplitude gravitational waves in a curved spacetime is equivalent to the propagation of a subspace of electromagnetic states. We use this result to propose the use of entangled photons to emulate the evolution of gravitational waves in curved spacetimes by means of experimental electromagnetic setups featuring metamaterials.
RNA editing differently affects protein-coding genes in D. melanogaster and H. sapiens
Authors: Grassi Luigi , Leoni Guido , Tramontano Anna
Published: July 2015

When an RNA editing event occurs within a coding sequence it can lead to a different encoded amino acid. The biological significance of these events remains an open question: they can modulate protein functionality, increase the complexity of transcriptomes or arise from a loose specificity of the involved enzymes. We analysed the editing events in coding regions that produce or not a change in the encoded amino acid (nonsynonymous and synonymous events, respectively) in D. melanogaster and in H. sapiens and compared them with the appropriate random models. Interestingly, our results show that the phenomenon has rather different characteristics in the two organisms. For example, we confirm the observation that editing events occur more frequently in non-coding than in coding regions and report that this effect is much more evident in H. sapiens. Additionally, in this latter organism, editing events tend to affect less conserved residues. The less frequently occurring editing events in Drosophila tend to avoid drastic amino acid changes. Interestingly, we find that, in Drosophila, changes from less frequently used codons to more frequently used ones are favoured, while this is not the case in H. sapiens.
Adalimumab Reduces Photoreceptor Cell Death in A Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Martínez-Fernández de la Cámara Cristina , Hernández-Pinto Alberto M. , Olivares-González Lorena , Cuevas-Martín Carmen , Sánchez-Aragó María , Hervás David , Salom David , Cuezva José M. , de la Rosa Enrique J. , Millán José M , Rodrigo Regina
Published: July 2015

Growing evidence suggests that inflammation is involved in the progression of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) both in patients and in animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Adalimumab, a monoclonal anti-TNFα antibody, on retinal degeneration in a murine model of human autosomal recessive RP, the rd10 mice at postnatal day (P) 18. In our housing conditions, rd10 retinas were seriously damaged at P18. Adalimumab reduced photoreceptor cell death, as determined by scoring the number of TUNEL-positive cells. In addition, nuclear poly (ADP) ribose (PAR) content, an indirect measure of PAR polymerase (PARP) activity, was also reduced after treatment. The blockade of TNFα ameliorated reactive gliosis, as visualized by decreased GFAP and IBA1 immunolabelling (Müller cell and microglial markers, respectively) and decreased up-regulation of TNFα gene expression. Adalimumab also improved antioxidant response by restoring total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity. Finally, we observed that Adalimumab normalized energetic and metabolic pattern in rd10 mouse retinas. Our study suggests that the TNFα blockade could be a successful therapeutic approach to increase photoreceptor survival during the progression of RP. Further studies are needed to characterize its effect along the progression of the disease.
Chromatin states modify network motifs contributing to cell-specific functions
Authors: Zhao Hongying , Liu Tingting , Liu Ling , Zhang Guanxiong , Pang Lin , Yu Fulong , Fan Huihui , Ping Yanyan , Wang Li , Xu Chaohan , Xiao Yun , Li Xia
Published: July 2015

Epigenetic modification can affect many important biological processes, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. It can alter chromatin conformation and contribute to gene regulation. To investigate how chromatin states associated with network motifs, we assembled chromatin state-modified regulatory networks by combining 269 ChIP-seq data and chromatin states in four cell types. We found that many chromatin states were significantly associated with network motifs, especially for feedforward loops (FFLs). These distinct chromatin state compositions contribute to different expression levels and translational control of targets in FFLs. Strikingly, the chromatin state-modified FFLs were highly cell-specific and, to a large extent, determined cell-selective functions, such as the embryonic stem cell-specific bivalent modification-related FFL with an important role in poising developmentally important genes for expression. Besides, comparisons of chromatin state-modified FFLs between cancerous/stem and primary cell lines revealed specific type of chromatin state alterations that may act together with motif structural changes cooperatively contribute to cell-to-cell functional differences. Combination of these alterations could be helpful in prioritizing candidate genes. Together, this work highlights that a dynamic epigenetic dimension can help network motifs to control cell-specific functions.
Extracellular vimentin interacts with insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor to promote axonal growth
Authors: Shigyo Michiko , Kuboyama Tomoharu , Sawai Yusuke , Tada-Umezaki Masahito , Tohda Chihiro
Published: July 2015

Vimentin, an intermediate filament protein, is generally recognised as an intracellular protein. Previously, we reported that vimentin was secreted from astrocytes and promoted axonal growth. The effect of extracellular vimentin in neurons was a new finding, but its signalling pathway was unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the signalling mechanism of extracellular vimentin that facilitates axonal growth. We first identified insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) as a receptor that is highly phosphorylated by vimentin stimulation. IGF1R blockades diminished vimentin- or IGF1-induced axonal growth in cultured cortical neurons. IGF1, IGF2 and insulin were not detected in the neuron culture medium after vimentin treatment. The combined drug affinity responsive target stability method and western blotting analysis showed that vimentin and IGF1 interacted with IGF1R directly. In addition, immunoprecipitation and western blotting analyses confirmed that recombinant IGF1R bound to vimentin. The results of a molecular dynamics simulation revealed that C-terminal residues (residue number 330-407) in vimentin are the most appropriate binding sites with IGF1R. Thus, extracellular vimentin may be a novel ligand of IGF1R that promotes axonal growth in a similar manner to IGF1. Our results provide novel findings regarding the role of extracellular vimentin and IGF1R in axonal growth.
Preliminary Characterization and In Vivo Studies of Structurally Identical 18F- and 125I-Labeled Benzyloxybenzenes for PET/SPECT Imaging of β-Amyloid Plaques
Authors: Yang Yanping , Zhang Xiaoyang , Cui Mengchao , Zhang Jinming , Guo Zhide , Li Yesen , Zhang Xianzhong , Dai Jiapei , Liu Boli
Published: July 2015

With the assistance of molecular docking and 3D-QSAR models established previously, structurally identical 18F- and 125I-labeled benzyloxybenzene derivatives were designed to achieve the early detection of Aβ plaques by PET/SPECT imaging. In competition binding assay, ligands 7a and 12a displayed high binding affinities to Aβ42 aggregates with Ki values of 19.5 nM and 23.9 nM, respectively. Specific plaque labeling was observed on the in vitro autoradiography of brain sections from AD patients and Tg mice. In biodistribution, [125I]7a, [18F]7a, [125I]12a and [18F]12a all exhibited high initial brain uptakes (>5% ID/g at 2 min). [125I]7a and [125I]12a cleared fast from the normal brain regions, while corresponding [18F]7a and [18F]12a showed slow washout rates. Dynamic microPET/CT and microSPECT/CT imaging data in normal ICR mice were in accordance with in vivo biodistribution results. In vivo metabolism results indicated that the different clearance profiles between the structurally identical 18F- and 125I-labeled tracers could be attributed to different biochemical characteristics of the radiometabolites. Radioiodinated benzyloxybenzene derivatives exhibited good in vivo biostability in brain. Ex vivo autoradiography further confirmed the strong in vivo Aβ labeling ability of [125I]7a. These new fluorinated and iodinated benzyloxybenzenes can develop into PET/SPECT dual imaging agents targeting Aβ plaques.
Artificial targeting of misfolded cytosolic proteins to endoplasmic reticulum as a mechanism for clearance
Authors: Liu Fen , Koepp Deanna M. , Walters Kylie J.
Published: July 2015

We report that misfolded cytosolic proteins can be cleared from mammalian cells by directing them to endoplasmic reticulum (ER). NAT1 R64W and Parkin R42P are naturally occurring misfolded variants of cytosolic enzymes that acetylate arylamines and ubiquitinate proteins, respectively. We demonstrate that proteasome inhibition causes ER accumulation of NAT1 R64W and its ubiquitinated species and that these products are cleared from cells following inhibition release. NAT1 WT by contrast is stable and not present at ER. The R42P mutation in Parkin locates to a UBL domain that interacts with C-terminal domains. Parkin R42P full length protein is trafficked poorly to ER and stable. Interestingly, fusion of the isolated R42P UBL to NAT1 WT results in a fusion product that is trafficked robustly to ER and degraded. Thus, the misfolded UBL is apparently masked by the intramolecular interactions. We also find that artificially directing Parkin R42P to ER by fusion with the Sec61β ER-directing transmembrane domain triggers its clearance. Altogether, our results suggest that routing misfolded cytosolic proteins to ER may be an effective strategy for clearance.
A rapid approach to isolating nitro-explosives from imidazolium and pyrrolidinium ionic liquid solutions using solid phase extraction (SPE)
Authors: Corley Cynthia A. , Iacono Scott T.
Published: July 2015

Ionic liquids have received considerable attention as ideal green solvents for synthesis and extraction applications.
Simple and fast determination of catecholamines in pharmaceutical samples using Ag+–3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine as a colorimetric probe
Authors: Zhu Shuyun , Yang Jing , Zhao Xian-en , Kong Rongmei , Wang Hua , You Jinmao
Published: July 2015

For the first time, a colorimetric method for the detection of catecholamines is developed based on their reducibility towards blue oxidized 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine oxidized by Ag+.
Thioglycolic acid capped CdS quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for the nanomolar determination of dopamine
Authors: Elevathoor Vikraman Anuja , Rosin Jose Ammu , Jacob Meera , Girish Kumar Krishnapillai
Published: July 2015

Thioglycolic acid (TGA) capped CdS quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully employed as an efficient nano sized fluorescent probe for the selective determination of dopamine (DA) in acetate buffer solution (pH 7).
Towards efficient chemical synthesis via engineering enzyme catalysis in biomimetic nanoreactors
Authors: Liu Jia , Yang Qihua , Li Can
Published: July 2015

This feature article outlines the recent development of biomimetic nanoreactors towards efficient chemical synthesisviamanipulation of the working environment and working patterns of enzymes in support nanopores.
Hierarchical ultrathin Mo(SxSe1−x)2 nanosheets with tunable ferromagnetism and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction activity: towards defect site effect
Authors: Xia Baorui , An Li , Gao Daqiang , Shi Shoupeng , Xi Pinxian , Xue Desheng
Published: July 2015

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are now playing important roles in both fundamental studies and technological applications due to their special structures and rich physical properties.
Surface force at the nano-scale: observation of non-monotonic surface tension and disjoining pressure
Authors: Peng Tiefeng , Firouzi Mahshid , Li Qibin , Peng Kang
Published: July 2015

The disjoining pressures of thin aqueous salt films at different salt concentrations and temperatures were calculated using MD simulations.
Design considerations for the synthesis of polymer coated iron oxide nanoparticles for stem cell labelling and tracking using MRI
Authors: Barrow Michael , Taylor Arthur , Murray Patricia , Rosseinsky Matthew J. , Adams Dave J.
Published: July 2015

This tutorial review provides an introduction to the design, polymer selection and synthesis strategies that can be used to develop biocompatible polymer coatings for iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents for stem cell tracking.
A comparative study of Ir(iii) complexes with pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline and pyrazino[2,3-f][4,7]phenanthroline ligands in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs)
Authors: González Iván , Dreyse Paulina , Cortés-Arriagada Diego , Sundararajan Mahesh , Morgado Claudio , Brito Iván , Roldán-Carmona Cristina , Bolink Henk J. , Loeb Bárbara
Published: July 2015

Two new cationic Ir(iii) complexes are compared with respect to their performance in light electrochemical cells (LECs).
Synthesis of cobalt cluster-based supramolecular triple-stranded helicates
Authors: Yoo Hyojong , Lee Jeonghee , Kang Philjae , Choi Moon-Gun
Published: July 2015

Cobalt cluster-based supramolecular triple-stranded helicate (1) and helix-of-helix structure (2) were successfully synthesized and fully characterized.
Degradation and conversion of toxic compounds into useful bioplastics by Cupriavidus sp. CY-1: relative expression of the PhaC gene under phenol and nitrogen stress
Authors: Venkateswar Reddy M. , Yajima Yuka , Mawatari Yasuteru , Hoshino Tamotsu , Chang Young-Cheol
Published: July 2015

In this study different types of toxic compounds,i.e., alkylphenols, mono and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons were converted into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) using the isolated bacteriaCupriavidussp. CY-1.
1,8-Bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene – gas and solid phase structures
Authors: Lamm Jan-Hendrik , Horstmann Jan , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mitzel Norbert W. , Zhabanov Yuriy A. , Tverdova Natalya V. , Otlyotov Arseniy A. , Giricheva Nina I. , Girichev Georgiy V.
Published: July 2015

The structure of 1,8-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene has been studied in detail in the gas phase and the solid state by a combined GED/MS method and by XRD of a single crystal. Aryl⋯aryl interactions are discussed in terms of dispersive forces.
Combining Pd(π-allyl)Cp and PPh3 as a unique catalyst for efficient synthesis of alkyliodo indoles via C(sp3)–I reductive elimination
Authors: Hao Wei , Wang Han , Walsh Patrick J. , Xi Zhenfeng
Published: July 2015

Alkyl iodides were formed via reductive elimination of alkylpalladium iodides possessing syn-β-hydrogens.
Task-specific ionic liquid based in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the sequential extraction and determination of chromium species: optimization by experimental design
Authors: Sadeghi Susan , Moghaddam Ali Zeraatkar
Published: July 2015

An optimised task specific ionic liquid-basedin situdispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (in situTSIL-DLLME) with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) methodology was developed for the selective extraction of Cr(iii) and Cr(vi) species.
Myrtle berry seed aqueous extract inhibits human neutrophil myeloperoxidase in vitro and attenuates acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats
Authors: Jabri Mohamed-Amine , Rtibi Kais , Tounsi Haifa , Hosni Karim , Souli Abdelaziz , El-Benna Jamel , Marzouki Lamjed , Sakly Mohsen , Sebai Hichem
Published: July 2015

We aimed in the present study to investigate the protective effect of a myrtle (Myrtus communisL.) berry seed aqueous extract (MBSAE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis in rats as well as the mechanism implicated in this coli-protection.
Nanomolar Zn(ii) sensing and subsequent PPi detection in physiological medium and live cells with a benzothiazole functionalized chemosensor
Authors: Gogoi Abhijit , Mukherjee Sandipan , Ramesh Aiyagari , Das Gopal
Published: July 2015

Nanomolar zinc detection and subsequent pyrophosphate sensing in physiological media using a benzothiazole modified conjugated ligand and their application in paper strip and live cell imaging is demonstrated.
In situ bubble template promoted facile preparation of porous g-C3N4 with excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Shi Lei , Liang Lin , Wang Fangxiao , Liu Mengshuai , Liang Tao , Chen Kunlong , Sun Jianmin
Published: July 2015

pg-C3N4 prepared through in situ bubble template showed large surface area and low recombination rate of photoinduced electron–hole pairs, leading to enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for degrading pollutants and splitting water to H2.
Green and all-carbon asymmetric supercapacitor based on polyaniline nanotubes and anthraquinone functionalized porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with high energy storage performance
Authors: An Ning , An Yufeng , Hu Zhongai , Zhang Yadi , Yang Yuying , Lei Ziqiang
Published: July 2015

A green and all-carbon AQ@PNCNTs//PNTs ASC device that can deliver an energy density as high as 32.7 W h kg−1 at the power density of 700 W kg−1 is reported.
Microwave assisted decoration of titanium oxide nanotubes with CuFe2O4 quantum dots for solid phase extraction of uranium
Authors: Mortada W. I. , Moustafa A. F. , Ismail A. M. , Hassanien M. M. , Aboud A. A.
Published: July 2015

Titanium oxide nanotubes decorated with CuFe2O4 quantum dots were prepared and characterized. The prepared nanotubes were used for solid phase extraction of U(vi) in real samples.
Hydrothermal growth of MnO2/RGO/Ni(OH)2 on nickel foam with superior supercapacitor performance
Authors: Min Shudi , Zhao Chongjun , Zhang Zhuomin , Wang Kun , Chen Guorong , Qian Xiuzhen , Guo Zaiping
Published: July 2015

A MnO2/RGO/Ni(OH)2 composite film with a unique nanoarchitecture was designed and synthesized in situ on nickel foam using a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach, and exhibited superior capacitive performance.
Laser-induced fabrication of single crystal zinc hydroxyl dodecylsulfate nano-sheets with excellent fluorescence emission
Authors: Li Shuang , Wang DaMeng , Wang ZiYu , Wang ZiWei , Chen Ming , Liu XiangDong
Published: July 2015

The successful synthesis of single crystal zinc hydroxyl dodecylsulfate nano-sheets with excellent photoluminescence emission by laser ablation in liquid.
An active and stable Ni/Al2O3 nanosheet catalyst for dry reforming of CH4
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2015

A highly active and stable leaf-like nanosheet Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was developed by a simple two-step hydrothermal method.
Preparation and rheological properties of whey protein emulsion fluid gels
Authors: Moakes R. J. A. , Sullo A. , Norton I. T.
Published: July 2015

The research uses a novel approach to tackle structuring in liquids through shear-gel technology, resulting in advanced material properties.
Green and facile synthesis of Fe3O4 and graphene nanocomposites with enhanced rate capability and cycling stability for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Dong Yucheng , Zhang Zhenyu , Xia Yang , Chui Ying-San , Lee Jong-Min , Zapien Juan Antonio
Published: July 2015

A novel facile and environmentally friendly strategy was developed to prepare Fe3O4 and graphene (Fe3O4/G) nanocomposites through in situ thermal reduction of FeOOH nanorods and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites.
A graphene-directed assembly route to hierarchically porous Co–Nx/C catalysts for high-performance oxygen reduction
Authors: Wei Jing , Hu Yaoxin , Wu Zhangxiong , Liang Yan , Leong Sookwan , Kong Biao , Zhang Xinyi , Zhao Dongyuan , Simon George P. , Wang Huanting
Published: July 2015

Graphene-directed assembly of ZIF nanocrystal arrays was developed to synthesize hierarchically nanoporous Co–Nx/C materials. The resulting materials exhibit high ORR catalytic activity and superior stability under both alkaline and acidic conditions.
A novel architecture designed for lithium rich layered Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 oxides for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: He Zhenjiang , Wang Zhixing , Huang Zimo , Chen Hao , Li Xinhai , Guo Huajun
Published: July 2015

Hollow spherical particles illustrate low specific surface area (0.4648 m2 g−1) and short diffusion path (about 1.5 μm) at the same time, which enhanced their performance during the electrode process.