bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE COOKING ANIMAL: ECONOMIC MAN AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION
Authors: Young Paul
Published: June 2008

When called upon to hosta banquet celebrating the forthcoming Great Exhibition of 1851, the world's first display of international industry, the Mayor of York turned to the period's most renowned chef for the catering. The Frenchman Alexis Soyer, who had recently resigned from his position at the Reform Club in Pall Mall, had made a name for himself in Britain through a combination of extravagant culinary endeavours and popular household cookery books. The banquet at York was an important occasion; joining Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's Consort, was a long list of national luminaries from Victorian high society and the political world. Soyer did not disappoint the Mayor, or his guests. TheTimescommented that amongst the vast array of international cuisines on offer was featured “one dish, to which turtles, ortolans, and other rich denizens of land and sea had contributed, [which] cost not less than 100l.” The paper noted with satisfaction that the feast was consumed before an “emblematical device representing Britannia in her conventional attire receiving the industrial products of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America” (“The Banquet at York” 5). That this emblem provided the backdrop to such cosmopolitan fare was salient: it spoke to the way in which the production and consumption of food would become a crucial motif in the positive representation of globalisation as it was understood at the Exhibition; it also highlighted the important role that the Victorian metropolis would fulfil in the realisation of this new world order. Certainly, the internationalist bent of Soyer's cooking seemed entirely appropriate to the luminaries gathered at the York banquet, and it was no doubt with the French chef's culinary scope in their minds as well as their stomachs that the Exhibition's organisers invited Soyer to submit a tender to provide refreshments at the display itself (Soyer 197).
Evaluation of a web-based, pictorial diet history questionnaire
Authors: Beasley Jeannette M , Davis Amanda , Riley William T
Published: June 2008

Objective

To develop and evaluate a pictorial, web-based version of the NCI diet history questionnaire (Web-PDHQ).

Design

The Web-PDHQ and paper version of the DHQ (Paper-DHQ) were administered 4 weeks apart with 218 participants randomised to order. Dietary data from the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ were validated using a randomly selected 4 d food record recording period (including a weekend day) and two randomly selected 24 h dietary recalls during the 4 weeks intervening between these two diet history administrations.

Setting

Research office in Reston, VA, USA.

Participa414ts

Computer-literate men and women recruited through newspaper advertisements.

Results

Mean correlation of energy and the twenty-five examined nutrients between the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ was 0·71 and 0·51, unadjusted and energy-adjusted by the residual method, respectively. Moderate mean correlations (unadjusted 0·41 and 0·38; energy-adjusted 0·41 and 0·34) were obtained between both the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ with the 4 d food record on energy and nutrients, but the correlations between the Web-PDHQ and Paper-DHQ with the 24 h recalls were modest (unadjusted 0·31 and 0·29; energy-adjusted 0·37 and 0·26). A subset of participants (n 48) completing the Web-PDHQ at the initial visit performed a retest on the same questionnaire 1 week later to determine repeatability, and the unadjusted mean correlation was 0·82.

Conclusions

These data indicate that the Web-PDHQ has comparable repeatability and validity to the Paper-DHQ but did not improve the relationship of the DHQ to other food intake measures (e.g. food records, 24 h recall).
Fish and seafood consumption and omega 3 intake in French coastal populations: CALIPSO survey
Authors: Bemrah Nawel , Sirot Véronique , Leblanc Jean-Charles , Volatier Jean-Luc
Published: June 2008

Objective

To describe part of the results of the CALIPSO study, i.e. to provide seafood consumption data on high seafood consumers in France and its contribution ton-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA intake.

Design and subjects

A total of 1011 individuals aged 18 years and over, who consumed fish and seafood at least twice weekly, were recruited. A consumption survey and a local ‘total diet study’ were performed to examine seafood consumption, fatty acids composition of seafood and to assessn-3 LC PUFA intake.

Setting

The CALIPSO survey was conducted in four French coastal regions (Le Havre, Lorient, La Rochelle and Toulon).

Methods

The subjects were questioned about their consumption habits, especially concerning fish and seafood, through a first validated FFQ. A sample of the most consumed seafood products (n47) was analysed for each region for its fatty acid composition. Fatty acids and especiallyn-3 LC PUFA intakes in this population were then calculated.

Results and conclusions

The average consumption of fresh and frozen fish was found to be 633, 636·5 and 787·8 g/week among men aged 18–64 years, women aged 18–64 years and people over 65 years, respectively. In these population groups, the consumption of crustaceans and molluscs was 270·3, 259·9 and 279·3 g/week, respectively. The results show that, irrespective of the age group and gender, consumption of fish and seafood twice weekly without excluding oily fish allowed people to reach the national and international recommendedn-3 LC PUFA intakes and demonstrates the validity of the French recommendations for fish consumption.
Extent of vitamin A deficiency among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh
Authors: Lee Vanessa , Ahmed Faruk , Wada Shoko , Ahmed Tahmeed , Ahmed AM Shamsir , Parvin Banu Cadi , Akhter Nasima
Published: June 2008

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh, and examine the relationship between various factors and vitamin A status.

Setting

Community Nutrition Promoter (CNP) centres in Kapasia sub-district of Gazipur district, Bangladesh.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Subjects and methods

Two hundred women, aged 18–39 years, in their second or third trimester of pregnancy were selected from seventeen CNP centres in four unions of Kapasia sub-district where they usually visit for antenatal care. Various socio-economic, personal and pregnancy-related information, dietary intake of vitamin A and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) data were collected. Serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined.

Results

More than half (51 %) of the pregnant women had low vitamin A status (serum retinol <1·05 μmol/l) with 18·5 % having VAD (serum retinol <0·70 μmol/l). Fifty-three per cent of the women’s vitamin A intake was less than the recommended dietary allowance. By multiple regression analysis, MUAC, per-capita expenditure on food and wealth index were found to have significant independent positive relationship with serum retinol concentration, while gestational age of the pregnant women had a negative relationship. The overall F-ratio (10·3) was highly significant (P = 0·0001), the adjusted R2 was 0·18 (multiple R = 0·45).

Conclusion

VAD is highly prevalent among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh. Gestational age, nutritional status, per-capita expenditure on food and wealth index appear to be important in influencing the vitamin A status of these women. An appropriate intervention is warranted in order to improve the vitamin A status.
Maternal serum vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine and the risk of neural tube defects in the offspring in a high-risk area of China
Authors: Zhang Ting , Xin Ruolei , Gu Xue , Wang Fang , Pei Lijun , Lin Liangming , Chen Gong , Wu Jianxin , Zheng Xiaoying
Published: June 2008

Objective

To examine the association between the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) and maternal serum vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine in a high-risk area of China.

Design

A case–control study was carried out in Luliang mountain area of Shanxi Province.

Subjects/setting

A total of eighty-four NTD pregnancies and 110 matched controls were included in the study; their serum vitamin B12and folate concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent immunoenzyme assay and total homocysteine concentrations by fluorescent polarisation immunoassay.

Results

Serum vitamin B12and folate concentrations were lower in NTD-affected pregnant women than in controls (P< 0·01). Serum total homocysteine was higher in the NTD group than in controls at less than 21 weeks of gestation (P< 0·01). Adjusted odds ratios revealed that women with lower vitamin B12(adjusted OR=4·96; 95 % CI 1·94, 12·67) and folate (adjusted OR=3·23; 95 % CI 1·33, 7·85) concentrations had a higher risk of NTD compared to controls. Based on dietary analysis, less consumption of meat, egg or milk, fresh vegetables and fruit intake would increase the risk of NTD.

Conclusions

Lower serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12are related to the increased risk of NTD in high-risk populations. Both folate and vitamin B12intake insufficiency could contribute to the increased risk of NTD. A dietary supplement, combining folate and vitamin B12, might be an effective measure to decrease the NTD incidence in these areas.
Ambulantes Assessment in der Klinischen Psychologie und Psychiatrie
Authors: Wilhelm Peter , Perrez Meinrad
Published: June 2008

Viele diagnostische Verfahren in der Klinischen Psychologie und Psychiatrie stützen sich auf retrospektive Selbstberichte. Solche retrospektiven Selbstberichte sind häufig beeinträchtigt durch Erinnerungsfehler und eignen sich kaum, um kurzfristige Veränderungen des Verhaltens über die Zeit oder verschiedene Situationen hinweg abzubilden. Ambulantes Assessment bezeichnet diagnostische Verfahren, die das Verhalten und Erleben von Personen in ihrer natürlichen Umgebung unmittelbar oder mit minimaler zeitlicher Verzögerung erfassen. Mit diesen Verfahren lassen sich Erinnerungsfehler vermeiden und detaillierte Informationen über Symptome sowie deren Antezedentien und Konsequenzen in der natürlichen Umgebung von Patienten gewinnen. Der Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht über Ambulante Assessment Methoden, die sowohl für die Forschung als auch für die Diagnostik und die psychotherapeutische Praxis von Nutzen sind. Vorgestellt werden systematische Selbstbeobachtungs- und Tagebuchverfahren, Methoden des Verhaltensmonitorings (Registrierung der Bewegungsaktivität, Körperhaltung und Sprechaktivität), des psychophysiologischen Monitorings sowie der Registrierung von Umweltmerkmalen. Ferner werden ambulante Experten- und Feedbacksysteme besprochen. Abschließend werden sowohl die Grenzen als auch das zukünftige Potenzial des Ambulanten Assessments diskutiert.
Neuere psychometrische Ansätze der Veränderungsmessung
Authors: Eid Michael , Geiser Christian , Nußbeck Fridtjof
Published: June 2008

Die Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über neuere psychometrische Ansätze der Veränderungsmessung, die für die Klinische Psychologie von Bedeutung sind. Gegliedert nach Modellen der Erfassung (1) der situationsbedingten Variabilität des Verhaltens und Erlebens, (2) entwicklungsbedingter Veränderung und (3) interventionsbedingter Veränderung, werden Modelle für kontinuierliche und kategoriale Variablen dargestellt. Insbesondere werden neuere Entwicklungen im Bereich der Mischverteilungsanalyse (z. B. Mischverteilungs-State-Trait-Modelle, Mischverteilungs-Wachstumskurvenmodelle) behandelt, die eine Klassifikation von Personen in Bezug auf ihr Veränderungsmuster erlauben. Abschließend wird aufgezeigt, wie Mischverteilungsmodelle herangezogen werden können, um analysieren zu können, ob sich (a priori unbekannte) Subpopulationen in Treatmentwirkungen unterscheiden.
Multimodale Diagnostik – 30 Jahre später
Authors: Baumann Urs , Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter
Published: June 2008

Eine multimodale Diagnostik ist zwischenzeitlich Standard in der Klinischen Psychologie, Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie. Unterschieden wird zwischen Datenebenen, Datenquellen, Untersuchungsinstrumenten und Konstrukten/Funktionsbereichen. Offene Fragen betreffen die Taxonomie der verschiedenen Kategorien, die Relation zwischen den verschiedenen Modalitäten untereinander, den Stellenwert der Multitrait-Multimethod-Analyse sowie Probleme der Umsetzung des Ansatzes in der Praxis.
Forschung zur Versorgung von Patienten mit psychischen Störungen
Authors: Luppa Melanie , Luck Tobias , Heinrich Sven , Glaesmer Heide
Published: June 2008

Über Häufigkeit und Inhalt neuerer deutschsprachiger Arbeiten zur psychiatrischen und psychotherapeutischen Versorgungsforschung sowie den Einbezug ökonomischer Evaluationen ist wenig bekannt. Zur Beurteilung des Forschungsstandes in diesem Bereich wurden alle Originalarbeiten der Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie sowie der Psychiatrischen Praxis der Jahre 2006 und 2007 hinsichtlich ihres Beitrages zur psychiatrischen und psychotherapeutischen Versorgungsforschung sowie zur Versorgungsökonomie ausgewertet. Die Hälfte der erschienenen Originalarbeiten konnte der Versorgungsforschung zugeordnet werden. 85 % dieser Arbeiten beschäftigten sich mit der Beschreibung und Analyse der Versorgungssituation sowie mit der Evaluation von Versorgungskonzepten im Alltag. Drei Viertel der Arbeiten konnten den Teildisziplinen Bedarfs-, Inanspruchnahmeforschung und Versorgungsepidemiologie zugeordnet werden. Unter den Studien zur Versorgungsforschung fanden sich fünf gesundheitsökonomische Analysen (10 %), die in der Mehrheit Kostenstudien waren. Im Vergleich mit früheren Analysen zeigt sich ein anhaltend starkes Interesse an versorgungsbezogenen Fragestellungen im Bereich der psychiatrischen und psychotherapeutischen Versorgungsforschung. Jedoch wurde ein Mangel an Publikationen zur Entwicklung und Implementierung neuer Konzepte in der Versorgung deutlich.
How well does the ERA40 surface water budget compare to observations in the Amazon River basin?
Authors: Fernandes Kátia , Fu Rong , Betts Alan K.
Published: June 2008

The surface water budget of the Amazon River basin derived from the ERA40 reanalysis is evaluated by comparing it with observed precipitation (P), streamflow/runoff (R), and evapotranspiration (ET) data sets for the period of 1980–2002. The rainfall is averaged over 90% of the Amazon River basin, corresponding to the catchments of the Óbidos and Altamira streamflow gauges. The annual rainfall and the interannual changes from ERA40 fall within the range of the two precipitation data sets. On the seasonal timescale, ERA40 reproduces well the rainfall during the dry and transition seasons, but it underestimates the wet season rainfall by 4–11% when compared with the two precipitation data sets. On the subbasin scale, the disparity in precipitation between ERA40 and observations is as much as ±40%. The annual runoff integrated over the two catchments is underestimated in ERA40 by 25%. The rain‐rates in ERA40, which affect both throughfall and runoff, are comparable to those measured by the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM 3B42V6), when these are rescaled to the resolution of the 2.5° ERA40 data. However, even the native resolution of ERA40 (∼1.125°) is greater than the scale of tropical convection. ET in ERA40 appears to be higher than observations by about 20%, although observed ET may have a 10% low bias. The difference between precipitation and runoff, P‐R, in ERA40 generally agrees with observations. However, annual ERA40 ET is greater than P‐R, because soil moisture nudging adds water to the soil. On the seasonal scale, soil moisture nudging is largest during the dry season, because ERA40 provides only a 45 mm surplus of P‐R relative to ET during the wet season, whereas the deficit in the dry season is almost four times greater. This low bias in wet season soil moisture recharge may be caused by the underestimation of wet season rainfall in ERA40. It is possible that the model interception may have a high bias, which contributes to the high ET in the rainy season and reduces the wet season storage.
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft lands on Mars
Authors: Showstack Randy , Kumar Mohi
Published: June 2008

After a 9.5‐month, 679‐million‐kilometer flight from Florida, NASA's Phoenix spacecraft made a soft landing in Vastitas Borealis in Mars's northern polar region on 25 May. The lander, whose camera already has returned some spectacular images, is on a 3‐month mission to examine the area and dig into the soil of this site—chosen for its likelihood of having frozen water near the surface—and analyze samples. In addition to a robotic arm and robotic arm camera, the lander's instruments include a surface stereo imager; thermal and evolved‐gas analyzer; microscopy, electrochemistry, and conductivity analyzer; and a meteorological station that is tracking daily weather and seasonal changes.

Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, the mission's principal investigator, said the workspace around the lander “is ideal for us because it looks very diggable. We are very happy to see just a few rocks scattered in the digging area.” Phoenix is NASA's first mission to return data from either of Mars's polar regions, contributing to the agency's Mars science strategy to “follow the water.”
Mars: A Richly Complicated Obstacle to the Solar Wind: Chapman Conference on the Solar Wind Interaction With Mars; San Diego, California, 22–25 January 2008
Authors: Crider Dana H. , Brain David A. , Lundin Rickard
Published: June 2008

Although studies of the solar wind interaction with Mars (SWIM) date back to the mid‐1960s, whether Mars possessed a global magnetic field remained uncertain until 1997. We now know that Mars lacks a measurable dynamo; however, it has intense, localized regions of magnetization tied to its crust. With this patchy magnetic field, the solar wind interacts directly with the upper atmosphere of Mars, driving structural and compositional variations and providing energy for atmospheric escape to space. These processes may have played an important role in the long‐term evolution of the Martian climate.
Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide
Authors: Splettstoesser John
Published: June 2008

Whereas the technology and purposes of spacecraft have evolved many times since a dog named Laika orbited Earth on board the Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite in November 1957, tourism in space is a relatively recent innovation. There have been some guidelines on training and medical recommendations for space travelers that have been developed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, but Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide significantly amplifies and expands on the general nature of those guidelines and presents astronaut training procedures to cover virtually all contingencies of space flight. The author is a research scientist specializing in space life sciences and environmental physiology. He has gone through the rigorous training procedures the book details for would‐be space travelers, and he also is an experienced mountaineer and winner of ultradistance triathlon contests.
From Corals to Canyons: The Great Barrier Reef Margin
Authors: Webster Jody M. , Beaman Robin J. , Bridge Thomas , Davies Peter J. , Byrne Maria , Williams Stefan , Manning Phil , Pizarro Oscar , Thornborough Kate , Woolsey Erika , Thomas Alex , Tudhope Sandy
Published: June 2008

The significance of submerged fossil coral reefs as important archives of abrupt global sea level rise and climate change has been confirmed by investigations in the Caribbean [Fairbanks, 1989] and the Indo‐ Pacific (see Montaggioni [2005] for a summary) and by recent Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) activities in Tahiti [Camoin et al., 2007]. Similar submerged (40–130 meters) reef structures are preserved along the margin of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), but they have not yet been systematically studied.

The submerged reefs have the potential to provide critical new information about the nature of past global sea level and climate variability and about the response of the GBR to these past and perhaps future environmental changes [Beaman et al., 2008]. Equally important for GBR Marine Park managers is information about the role of the reefs as habitats and substrates for modern biological communities.
Challenges in Modeling the Fate of Nitrogen Applied to Forests: Development of a Comprehensive Forest Nutrient Cycle and Export Modeling Package; Cordesville, South Carolina, 6–7 March 2008
Authors: Amatya Devendra , Trettin C. , Vance Eric , Nettles Jami , Skaggs Wayne
Published: June 2008

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is commonly applied to increase productivity of forest plantations, and the extent and intensity of forest fertilizer use could increase in the future as a way of enhancing forest productivity to meet demands for both traditional products and emerging markets for energy and biomaterials. While much of the applied N remains in the soilplant system, there are concerns about leaching losses and effects on surface water quality. However, understanding the fate of fertilizer N and its potential environmental impacts is particularly complex due to a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors affecting its forms and movement.

There have been many N cycling studies in pine plantations, but relatively few have comprehensively addressed links between terrestrial processes and the ultimate fate of fertilizer N. While a variety of hydrologic and nutrient cycling models have been applied to simulate N fate and transport at different spatial and temporal scales in agricultural and forested ecosystems, available field studies are generally inadequate to validate those model predictions. Experiments are needed to validate model predictions on the transport and fate of N through the soil and water network. Once validated, models can be used in the development of general fertilizer guidelines for resource managers and can help document how fertilizer can be safely and effectively used at stand and landscape scales.
Variability in El NioSouthern Oscillation Patterns and Potential Climate Effects: Workshop on Reconciling ENSO Chronologies for the Past 500 Years; Moorea, French Polynesia, 2–3 April 2008
Authors: Diaz Henry F. , Tourre Yves M.
Published: June 2008

In the past few decades, there have been various efforts made to extend, by means of proxy climate records, the relatively short instrumental record of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Most of these reconstructions are available at annual resolution (some with subdecadal timescales). Spatial and temporal changes in ENSO events have been documented and discussed in the literature, including changes in their secular variance structures in both the tropics and extratropical regions. These changes may affect the ability of proxy records to reproduce long‐term ENSO variability in the equatorial Pacific Ocean with high accuracy.
Global tropopause height trends estimated from GPS radio occultation data
Authors: Schmidt T. , Wickert J. , Beyerle G. , Heise S.
Published: June 2008

This study discusses global tropopause height variabilities and trends based on zonal monthly mean GPS radio occultation data from the German CHAMP satellite mission for the period May 2001–December 2007 (80 months). A data gap of missing CHAMP data in July 2006 was filled with radio occultation data of the US‐German GRACE mission. A global increase of the tropopause height between 26–44 m during the observation period (4–7 m/yr) is found depending on the binning method (5° or 10° latitude bands) and the used tropopause detection algorithm. The corresponding trend errors vary between 19–21 m. The inclusion of the quasi‐biennial oscillation in the regression model leads to a global increase of the tropopause height from 1–5 m (2–12%) during the time period depending on the binning method. Global tropopause height variations are positively correlated with upper tropospheric (500–100 hPa) and anti‐correlated with lower stratospheric (100–30 hPa) temperature variations.
Dynamics and diversity of newly produced virioplankton in the North Sea
Authors: Parada Verónica , Baudoux Anne-Claire , Sintes Eva , Weinbauer Markus G , Herndl Gerhard J
Published: June 2008

Viral diversity has been studied in a variety of marine habitats and spatial and seasonal changes have been documented. Most of the bacteriophages are considered host specific and are thought to affect fast growing prokaryotic phylotypes more than slow growing ones. We hypothesized that viral infection and consequently, lysis occurs in pulses with only a few prokaryotic phylotypes lysed at any given time. Thus, we propose that the newly produced viruses represent only a fraction of the viral diversity present at any given time. Virioplankton diversity was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in the surface waters of three distinct areas of the North Sea during the spring and summer. Bulk virioplankton diversity was fairly stable in these waters. Viral diversity produced by the indigenous bacterioplankton, however, exhibited day-to-day variability with only a few bands produced at any given time. These bands frequently matched bands of the in situ virioplankton; however, bands not present in the band pattern of the in situ virioplankton community were also found. These new bands probably indicate infection and subsequent release of viruses from bacterioplankton phylotypes previously not infected by these specific viruses. Overall, our results demonstrate that viral infection and lysis are rather dynamic processes. The main targets of viral infection are changing apparently on time scales of hours to days indicating that viral infection might effectively regulate and maintain bacterioplankton diversity.
Distribution of Subcutaneous Fat Predicts Insulin Action in Obesity in Sex‐specific Manner
Authors: Koska Juraj , Stefan Norbert , Votruba Susanne B. , Smith Steven R. , Krakoff Jonathan , Bunt Joy C.
Published: June 2008

The pattern of adipose tissue (AT) distribution is an important predictor of metabolic risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of peripheral (insulin‐mediated glucose disposal—M) and hepatic (suppression of endogenous glucose production—EGP) insulin action with abdominal (subcutaneous abdominal AT—SAAT, intraabdominal AT—IAAT) and thigh AT depots in obese individuals. Fifty‐seven Pima Indians with normal glucose tolerance underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and euglycemic‐hyperinsulinemic clamp. M was negatively related to intraperitoneal IAAT (P = 0.02) and deep SAAT (P = 0.03). Suppression of EGP was negatively related to total (P < 0.05) or deep SAAT (P < 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), and total or intraperitoneal IAAT (P = 0.009 and P = 0.002, respectively). A significant interaction with sex was found in the association between superficial SAAT and M, so that in women, but not men, M negatively correlated with superficial SAAT (P = 0.02). In stepwise regression analysis, both M (r2 = 0.09) and EGP suppression (r2 = 0.17) were associated only with intraperitoneal IAAT in the whole group. In the sex‐specific analysis (because of the significant interaction), lower M was associated with higher deep SAAT (r2 = 0.15) in combination with lower superficial SAAT (r2 = 0.09) in men, and with higher superficial SAAT (r2 = 0.29) in combination with lower thigh subcutaneous AT (r2 = 0.16) in women. Although intraperitoneal IAAT and deep SAAT were major predictors of peripheral and hepatic insulin action in obese Pima Indians, the largest variance in M rate was explained in a sex‐specific manner by relative size of subcutaneous AT depots.
Genetic Architecture of Adiposity and Organ Weight Using Combined Generation QTL Analysis
Authors: Fawcett Gloria L. , Roseman Charles C. , Jarvis Joseph P. , Wang Bing , Wolf Jason B. , Cheverud James M.
Published: June 2008

We present here a detailed study of the genetic contributions to adult body size and adiposity in the LG, SM advanced intercross line (AIL), an obesity model. This study represents a first step in fine‐mapping obesity quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in an AIL. QTLs for adiposity in this model were previously isolated to chromosomes 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18. This study focuses on heritable contributions and the genetic architecture of fatpad and organ weights. We analyzed both the F2 and F3 generations of the LG, SM AIL population single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyped with a marker density of ∼4 cM. We replicate 88% of the previously identified obesity QTLs and identify 13 new obesity QTLs. Nearly half of the single‐trait QTLs were sex‐specific. Several broad QTL regions were resolved into multiple, narrower peaks. The 113 single‐trait QTLs for organs and body weight clustered into 27 pleiotropic loci. A large number of epistatic interactions are described which begin to elucidate potential interacting molecular networks. We present a relatively rapid means to obtain fine‐mapping details from AILs using dense marker maps and consecutive generations. Analysis of the complex genetic architecture underlying fatpad and organ weights in this model may eventually help to elucidate not only heritable contributions to obesity but also common gene sets for obesity and its comorbidities.
Insulin Use and Weight Maintenance in Well‐controlled Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Huizinga Mary Margaret , Niswender Kevin D. , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Rothman Russell L. , Shintani Ayumi K. , Elasy Tom A.
Published: June 2008

Intensification of glycemic control is associated with weight gain, however, less is known about weight change during the maintenance phase of glycemic management. On the basis of current models of energy homeostasis, we hypothesize that insulin use will result in less weight gain than oral antidiabetic agents in patients with well‐controlled diabetes. This is a prospective cohort nested within a randomized control trial at an academic clinic, with enrollment from June 2002 to January 2005. A total of 163 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled after obtaining glycemic control. Insulin use was assessed by self‐report at baseline. Participants were weighed at baseline and five follow‐up visits over 24 months. The weight change was compared between insulin users and noninsulin users. The average (s.d.) age was 55 (11), 44% are female and 21% are black. The median duration of diabetes was 5 (0.5–10) years. At baseline, 88 participants (54%) reported insulin use with an average of 69 (6) units/day. Baseline BMI in the insulin users was 35 (6) and 33 (6) in noninsulin patients. Over 24 months, noninsulin patients gained 2.3 additional kilograms compared with insulin users (2.8 kg (6.8) vs. 0.5 kg (6.5), P = 0.065). After adjusting for age, race, sex, baseline weight, intervention status, and change in A1C, insulin users had 2.5 kg less weight gain than noninsulin users (P = 0.033). Less weight gain was observed over 24 months in insulin‐treated patients. Whether this effect may be due to central catabolic effects of insulin merits additional confirmatory study and mechanistic investigation.
Insulin Secretion in Metabolically Obese, but Normal Weight, and in Metabolically Healthy but Obese Individuals
Authors: Succurro Elena , Marini Maria A. , Frontoni Simona , Hribal Marta L. , Andreozzi Francesco , Lauro Renato , Perticone Francesco , Sesti Giorgio
Published: June 2008

Metabolically obese but normal‐weight (MONW) individuals present metabolic disturbances typical of obese individuals. Additionally, metabolically healthy but obese (MHO) individuals have been identified who are relatively insulin sensitive and have a favorable cardiovascular risk profile. We compared insulin secretion patterns of MONW and MHO with those of two age‐matched groups comprising nonobese individuals or obese insulin‐resistant subjects, respectively. To this end, 110 nonobese subjects and 87 obese subjects were stratified into quartile based on their insulin‐stimulated glucose disposal (MFFM). Insulin secretion was estimated by acute insulin response (AIR) during an intravenous glucose‐tolerance test (IVGTT), and the disposition index was calculated as AIR × MFFM. We found that, as defined, MFFM was lower in MONW, who exhibited higher triglycerides, free‐fatty acid (FFA), and 2‐h postchallenge glucose levels compared to normal nonobese group. Insulin secretion was higher in MONW than in normal nonobese subjects, but disposition index was lower in MONW. Disposition index did not differ between MONW and insulin‐resistant obese. MFFM was higher in MHO who exhibited lower waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, FFA, insulin levels, and higher high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared to insulin‐resistant obese. Insulin secretion did not differ between insulin‐resistant obese and MHO, but disposition index was lower in the former group. In conclusion, MONW and insulin‐resistant obese showed decreased compensatory insulin secretion compared to normal nonobese and MHO subjects, respectively. Because these subjects also exhibited a worse metabolic risk profile, these findings may account for their increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Body Size Satisfaction and Physical Activity Levels Among Men and Women
Authors: Kruger Judy , Lee Chong‐Do , Ainsworth Barbara E. , Macera Caroline A.
Published: June 2008

Body size satisfaction may be an important factor associated with physical activity. We analyzed data from the 2002 National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Survey (NPAWLS), a population‐based cross‐sectional telephone survey of US adults. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association of body size satisfaction on being regularly active. Participants were aged ≥18 years with complete data on weight, race/ethnicity, physical activity level, and body size satisfaction (n = 10,021). More than half of men (55.8%) and women (53.3%) who reported being very satisfied with the body size were regularly active. After adjustment for covariates, participants who reported being somewhat or not satisfied with their body size had a 13 and 44% lower odds of being regularly active, respectively, compared with those very satisfied with their body size. When stratified by race/ethnicity, this association remained in whites (P for trend <0.001), but became weaker and nonsignificant in blacks, Hispanics, or other racial/ethnic groups. Irrespective of actual weight, those who were satisfied with their body size were more likely to engage in regular physical activity than those less satisfied. Further research is needed to explore predictors of physical activity to reduce health disparities.
Pediatric Obesity Attitudes, Services, and Information Among Rural Parents: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Davis Ann McGrath , James Rochelle L. , Curtis Melanie R. , Felts Shanna M. , Daley Christine M.
Published: June 2008

The objective of this study was to learn more about the attitudes concerning pediatric obesity among rural parents, the barriers these parents face in trying to help their children attain a healthy weight status, and the pediatric weight loss services currently available in small rural communities. A series of eight qualitative focus groups were conducted with 21 parents of overweight rural children in third through fifth grade. Eight saturated themes resulted indicating that parents (i) believe overweight children are lazy, (ii) are concerned about the weight of their children, (iii) believe that some individuals will be overweight no matter what they do, and (iv) have tried a variety of techniques to help their children lose weight. Barriers to helping their children lose weight unique to their rural status included lack of weight loss resources in their community, lack of exercise facilities, and lack of low‐fat or low‐calorie options in grocery stores. Rural families of overweight children encounter many barriers to healthier living, some of which are unique to their rural status.
Quercetin Ameliorates Metabolic Syndrome and Improves the Inflammatory Status in Obese Zucker Rats
Authors: Rivera Leonor , Morón Rocío , Sánchez Manuel , Zarzuelo Antonio , Galisteo Milagros
Published: June 2008

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of chronic administration of high doses of quercetin on metabolic syndrome abnormalities, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. For this purpose, obese Zucker rats and their lean littermates were used. The rats received a daily dose of quercetin (2 or 10 mg/kg of body weight) or vehicle for 10 weeks. Body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were recorded weekly. At the end of the treatment, plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, free‐fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and nitrate plus nitrite (NOx) were determined. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression were analyzed in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The raised SBP and high plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, FFA, and insulin found in obese Zucker rats were reduced in obese rats that received either of the doses of quercetin assayed. The higher dose also improved the inflammatory status peculiar to this model, as it increased the plasma concentration of adiponectin, reduced NOx levels in plasma, and lowered VAT TNF‐α production in obese Zucker rats. Furthermore, chronic intake of the higher dose of quercetin enhanced VAT eNOS expression among obese Zucker rats, whereas it downregulated VAT iNOS expression. In conclusion, both doses of quercetin improved dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats, but only the high dose produced antiinflammatory effects in VAT together with a reduction in body weight gain.
Polymorphisms of the FTO Gene Are Associated With Variation in Energy Intake, but not Energy Expenditure
Authors: Speakman John R. , Rance Kellie A. , Johnstone Alexandra M.
Published: June 2008

The FTO gene has significant polymorphic variation associated with obesity, but its function is unknown. We screened a population of 150 whites (103F/47M) resident in NE Scotland, United Kingdom, for variants of the FTO gene and linked these to phenotypic variation in their energy expenditure (basal metabolic rate (BMR) and maximal oxygen consumption VO2max) and energy intake. There was no significant association between the FTO genotype and BMR or VO2max. The FTO genotype was significantly associated (P = 0.024) with variation in energy intake, with average daily intake being 9.0 MJ for the wild‐type TT genotype and 10.2 and 9.5 MJ for the “at risk” AT and AA genotypes, respectively. Adjusting intake for BMR did not remove the significance (P = 0.043). FTO genotype probably affects obesity via effects on food intake rather than energy expenditure.
Bioimpedance for Severe Obesity: Comparing Research Methods for Total Body Water and Resting Energy Expenditure
Authors: Strain Gladys W. , Wang Jack , Gagner Michel , Pomp Alfons , Inabnet William B. , Heymsfield Steven B.
Published: June 2008

Objective: As the acceptance of surgical procedures for weight loss in morbid obesity is increasing, clinically useful baseline and follow‐up measures of total body water (TBW) and resting energy expenditure (REE) are important. Research methods such as deuterium (D2O) dilution and metabolic carts are problematic in the clinical setting. We compared bioimpedance analysis (BIA) predicted (Tanita TBF‐310) and measured TBW and REE.

Methods and Procedures: Forty‐two paired presurgery studies were completed using BIA and D2O in patients with BMI (mean ± s.d.) 50.2 ± 8.8 kg/m2 for TBW, and 30 patients with BMI 51.0 ± 13 kg/m2 completed paired determinations of REE with metabolic carts and the Tanita balance with weight, height, sex, and age modifiers. Regression analysis and Bland‐Altman plots were applied.

Results: When regression analysis was completed for TBW, regression line was consistent with the identity line “y = x.” The intercept was not different from 0 (95% confidence interval −2.5 ± 7.0). The slope of the line was not different from 1.0 ± 0.1. The measured TBW 51.2 ± 10.1 l had a correlation with the predicted 49.5 ± 11.27 l of 0.92. There also was no significant difference (P = 0.33) between predicted (2,316 ± 559 kcal/day) and measured REE (2,383 ± 576 kcal/day);δ 66.7 ± 273 kcal/day. The two measures were highly correlated (r = 0.88) with no bias detected.

Discussion: These observations support the use of the BIA system calibration in subjects with severe obesity. Without the use of complex, costly equipment and invasive procedures, BIA measurements can easily be obtained in clinical practice to monitor patient responses to treatment.
Protein stability and aggregation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Robinson Philip A.
Published: June 2008

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, results in abnormalities in motor functioning. Many fundamental questions regarding its aetiology remain unanswered. Pathologically, it is not until 70–80% of the dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra pars compacta are lost before clinical symptoms are observed. Thus research into PD is complicated by this apparent paradox in that what appears to be the beginning of the disease at the clinical level is really the end point neurochemically. Consequently, we can only second guess when the disease started and what initiated it. The causation is probably complex, with contributions from both genetic and environmental factors. Intracellular proteinaceous inclusions, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, found in surviving dopaminergic neurons, are the key pathological characteristic of PD. Their presence points to an inability within these terminally differentiated cells to deal with aggregating proteins. Recent advances in our knowledge of the underlying disease process have come about from studies on models based on genes associated with rare hereditary forms of PD, and mitochondrial toxins that mimic the behavioural effects of PD. The reason that dopaminergic neurons are particularly sensitive may be due to the additional cellular stress caused by the breakdown of the inherently chemically unstable neurotransmitter, dopamine. In the present review, I discuss the proposal that in sporadic disease, interlinked problems of protein processing and inappropriate mitochondrial activity seed the foundation for age-related increased levels of protein damage, and a reduced ability to deal with the damage, leading to inclusion formation and, ultimately, cell toxicity.
Investigating lipid signalling: it's all about finding the right PI
Authors: Nielsen Erik
Published: June 2008

Phosphoinositides are well-known components of cellular signal transduction pathways and, more recently, have been shown to play important roles in organelle identity and targeting determinants for various cytosolic proteins. Conversion of PtdIns into its various phosphorylated derivatives, such as PtdIns4P and PtdIns(4,5)P2, is accomplished by a series of distinct lipid kinase and lipid phosphatase activities that are localized to specific subcellular membranes. As a result, production of distinct PtdIns forms is thought to be largely dependent on the access of these enzymes to their PtdIns or PtdInsP substrates. Interestingly, an investigation of two different PIS (PtdIns synthase) isoforms by Lofke et al. in this issue of the Biochemical Journal now indicates that the ability of PtdIns to be converted into downstream PtdInsPs may depend upon the PIS isoform from which it was synthesized.
Structural, thermal, and electrical properties of CrSi2
Authors: Dasgupta T. , Etourneau J. , Chevalier B. , Matar S. F. , Umarji A. M.
Published: June 2008

Stoichiometric CrSi2 was prepared by arc melting and compacted by uniaxial hot pressing for property measurements. The crystal structure of CrSi2 was investigated using the powder x-ray diffraction method. From the Rietveld refinement, the lattice parameters were found to be a=4.42757 (7) and c=6.36804 (11)Å, respectively. The thermal expansion measurement revealed an anisotropic expansion in the temperature range from room temperature 800K with αa=14.58×10−6∕K, αc=7.51×10−6∕K, and αV=12.05×10−6∕K. The volumetric thermal expansion coefficient shows an anomalous decrease in the temperature range of 450–600K. The measured electrical resistivity ρ and thermoelectric power S have similar trends with a maxima around 550K. Thermal conductivity measurements show a monotonic decrease with increasing temperature from a room temperature value of 10Wm−1K−1. The ZT values increase with temperature and have a maximum value of 0.18 in the temperature range studied. An analysis of the electronic band structure is provided.
Protein structure prediction using basin-hopping
Authors: Prentiss Michael C. , Wales David J. , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: June 2008

Associative memory Hamiltonian structure prediction potentials are not overly rugged, thereby suggesting their landscapes are like those of actual proteins. In the present contribution we show how basin-hopping global optimization can identify low-lying minima for the corresponding mildly frustrated energy landscapes. For small systems the basin-hopping algorithm succeeds in locating both lower minima and conformations closer to the experimental structure than does molecular dynamics with simulated annealing. For large systems the efficiency of basin-hopping decreases for our initial implementation, where the steps consist of random perturbations to the Cartesian coordinates. We implemented umbrella sampling using basin-hopping to further confirm when the global minima are reached. We have also improved the energy surface by employing bioinformatic techniques for reducing the roughness or variance of the energy surface. Finally, the basin-hopping calculations have guided improvements in the excluded volume of the Hamiltonian, producing better structures. These results suggest a novel and transferable optimization scheme for future energy function development.
Spectroscopy, dissociation dynamics, and potential energy surfaces for CN(A)−Ar
Authors: Han Jiande , Heaven Michael C. , Schnupf Udo
Published: June 2008

The AΠ2-XΣ+2 band system of CN–Ar has been examined using fluorescence depletion and action spectroscopy techniques. Eight vibronic bands of the complex were observed in association with the monomer 3-0 transition. Pump-probe measurements were used to characterize CN(AΠ3∕22,ν=3) fragments from direct photodissociation of CN(AΠ2,ν=3)−Ar and CN(XΣ+2,ν=7) fragments from CN(AΠ2,ν=3)−Ar predissociation. The latter showed a marked preference for population of positive parity diatomic rotational levels. Bound state calculations were used to assign the A-X bands and to obtain fitted potential energy surfaces for the A state. The average potential obtained from fitting had a well depth of De=137.8cm−1. High-level ab initio calculations were used to obtain equilibrium Jacobi coordinates of θe=94° and Re=7.25bohr. The near-symmetric character of the fitted potential energy surface was consistent with the symmetry preference observed in the predissociation dynamics.
Surface tension of electrolytes: Hydrophilic and hydrophobic ions near an interface
Authors: Onuki Akira
Published: June 2008

We calculate the ion distributions around an interface in fluid mixtures of highly polar and less polar fluids (water and oil) for two and three ion species. We take into account the solvation and image interactions between ions and solvent. We show that hydrophilic and hydrophobic ions tend to undergo a microphase separation at an interface, giving rise to an enlarged electric double layer. We also derive a general expression for the surface tension of electrolyte systems, which contains a negative electrostatic contribution proportional to the square root of the bulk salt density. The amplitude of this square-root term is small for hydrophilic ion pairs but is much increased for hydrophilic and hydrophobic ion pairs. For three ion species, including hydrophilic and hydrophobic ions, we calculate the ion distributions to explain those obtained by x-ray reflectivity measurements.