bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positioning food standards programmes to protect public health: current performance, future opportunities and necessary reforms
Authors: Lawrence Mark Andrew , Pollard Christina Mary , Weeramanthri Tarun Stephen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess current performance and identify opportunities and reforms necessary for positioning a food standards programme to help protect public health against dietary risk factors.DesignA case study design in which a food standards programme’s public health protection performance was analysed against an adapted Donabedian model for assessing health-care quality. The criteria were the food standards programme’s structure (governance arrangements and membership of its decision-making committees), process (decision-making tools, public engagement and transparency) and food standards outcomes, which provided the information base on which performance quality was inferred.SettingThe Australia and New Zealand food standards programme.ParticipantsThe structure, process and outcomes of the Programme.ResultsThe Programme’s structure and processes produce food standards outcomes that perform well in protecting public health from risks associated with nutrient intake excess or inadequacy. The Programme performs less well in protecting public health from the proliferation and marketing of ‘discretionary’ foods that can exacerbate dietary risks. Opportunities to set food standards to help protect public health against dietary risks are identified.ConclusionsThe structures and decision-making processes used in food standards programmes need to be reformed so they are fit for purpose for helping combat dietary risks caused by dietary excess and imbalances. Priorities include reforming the risk analysis framework, including the nutrient profiling scoring criterion, by extending their nutrition science orientation from a nutrient (reductionist) paradigm to be more inclusive of a food/diet (holistic) paradigm.
Unbanked status and use of alternative financial services among minority populations
Authors: Barcellos Silvia Helena , Zamarro Gema 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA large number of Americans do not have bank accounts (the ‘unbanked’) or rely on costly alternative financial services (AFS) such as payday loans (the ‘underbanked’), with implications for wealth accumulation and retirement preparedness. Using primary data, we document large racial/ethnic differences in unbanked and in frequent AFS usage rates. We study the role of socio-economic status (SES), financial literacy, trust in financial institutions, networks, and time preferences in explaining these gaps. While these variables explain a large fraction of the white-minority gaps in unbanked status the same is not true for gaps in AFS use. A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition confirms these patterns: gaps in unbanked status are mostly explained by differences in endowments across groups, for AFS gaps differences in returns to endowments have the largest explanatory power. Our findings suggest that, while related, unbanked and underbanked are distinct concepts with different underlying causes that may require different policy responses.
Paternal contributions to large-for-gestational-age term babies: findings from a multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Derraik J. G. B. , Pasupathy D. , McCowan L. M. E. , Poston L. , Taylor R. S. , Simpson N. A. B. , Dekker G. A. , Myers J. , Vieira M. C. , Cutfield W. S. , Ahlsson F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe assessed whether paternal demographic, anthropometric and clinical factors influence the risk of an infant being born large-for-gestational-age (LGA). We examined the data on 3659 fathers of term offspring (including 662 LGA infants) born to primiparous women from Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE). LGA was defined as birth weight >90th centile as per INTERGROWTH 21st standards, with reference group being infants ⩽90th centile. Associations between paternal factors and likelihood of an LGA infant were examined using univariable and multivariable models. Men who fathered LGA babies were 180 g heavier at birth (P<0.001) and were more likely to have been born macrosomic (P<0.001) than those whose infants were not LGA. Fathers of LGA infants were 2.1 cm taller (P<0.001), 2.8 kg heavier (P<0.001) and had similar body mass index (BMI). In multivariable models, increasing paternal birth weight and height were independently associated with greater odds of having an LGA infant, irrespective of maternal factors. One unit increase in paternal BMI was associated with 2.9% greater odds of having an LGA boy but not girl; however, this association disappeared after adjustment for maternal BMI. There were no associations between paternal demographic factors or clinical history and infant LGA. In conclusion, fathers who were heavier at birth and were taller were more likely to have an LGA infant, but maternal BMI had a dominant influence on LGA.
Neurale Korrelate dynamischer und statischer Fatigue-Komponenten bei Patienten mit Multipler Sklerose
Authors: Spiteri Stefan , Hassa Thomas , Claros-Salinas Dolores , Dettmers Christian , Ariel Schönfeld Mircae 
Published: February 2019

Zusammenfassung. Fatigue gilt als eines der am meisten beeinträchtigenden Symptome der Multiplen Sklerose (MS). Diese Studie untersuchte mittels funktioneller Magnetresonanztomografie (fMRT) die neuralen Korrelate dynamischer und statischer Aktivitätsveränderungen bei MS-Patienten und gesunden Kontrollen während einer ermüdungsinduzierenden N-Back-Aufgabe. Die Hirnaktivität wurde zu Beginn und am Ende der Aufgabe verglichen sowie mit der subjektiven Einschätzung der Fatigue korreliert. Es fand sich eine Zunahme der Reaktionszeiten ausschließlich bei Patienten und eine korrespondierende Zunahme der subjektiven Fatigue. Bei den MS-Patienten fand sich eine belastungsabhängige Aktivitätsabnahme in den salienz- und aufmerksamkeitsassoziierten Netzwerken und eine belastungsunabhängige Aktivitätszunahme in höheren Arealen der Aufmerksamkeitskontrolle. Die Ergebnisse sind mit aktuellen Modellen der Fatigue, die unterschiedliche Substrate für statische (krankheitsassoziierte) und dynamische (belastungsassoziierte) Fatigue-Komponenten postulieren, gut vereinbar. Schlüsselwörter: Multiple Sklerose, Fatigue, Fatigability, State-/Trait-Fatigue, Aufmerksamkeit, fMRT
Atmospheric Dynamics Footprint on the January 2016 Ice Sheet Melting in West Antarctica
Authors: Hu Xiaoming , Sejas Sergio A. , Cai Ming , Li Zhenning , Yang Song 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn January of 2016, the Ross Sea sector of the West Antarctica ice sheet experienced a 3‐week‐long melting episode. Here we quantify the association of the large‐extent and long‐lasting melting event with the enhancement of the downward longwave (LW) radiative fluxes at surface due to water vapor, cloud, and atmospheric dynamic feedbacks using the ERA‐Interim data set. The abnormally long‐lasting temporal surges of atmospheric moisture, warm air, and low‐level clouds increase the downward LW radiative energy flux at the surface during the massive ice‐melting period. The concurrent timing and spatial overlap between poleward wind anomalies and positive downward LW radiative surface energy flux anomalies over West Antarctica due to warmer air temperature and increases in atmospheric water vapor and cloud coverage provide direct evidence that warm and moist air advection from lower latitudes to West Antarctica causes the rapid long‐lasting warming and vast ice mass loss in January of 2016.
Repeated Rhyolite Eruption From Heterogeneous Hot Zones Embedded Within a Cool, Shallow Magma Reservoir
Authors: Andersen Nathan L. , Singer Brad S. , Coble Matthew A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDespite the hazard posed by explosive silicic eruptions, the magma storage conditions and dynamics that precede these events remain controversial. The Laguna del Maule volcanic field, central Chile, is an exceptional example of postglacial (younger than ca. 20,000 years) rhyolite volcanism and sustained unrest driven by a large, shallow, active silicic magma system. New zircon petrochronologic data reveal that compositionally distinct domains developed concurrently within the Laguna del Maule magma reservoir, which produced two episodes of concentrated rhyolitic eruptions at 23–19 and 8–2 ka. Zircon crystallization ages record 160 kyr of magma emplacement resulting in a several hundreds of cubic kilometers reservoir that has been imaged geophysically. The average magma emplacement rate inferred from the zircon geochronology and tomographically defined magma volume is consistent with those required by thermal models to maintain a shallow silicic system. Ti‐in‐zircon temperatures of crystal cores and rims and hiatuses in crystal growth indicates most of this volume persisted in a near‐solidus state. However, consistent patterns of trace element zoning in crystal interiors and crystallization rates derived from a model of diffusion‐limited zircon growth suggest the erupted rhyolite magma batches originated from long‐lived hot zones of extractable mush embedded within the larger, cool reservoir of rigid mush. These contrasting, coeval magma storage conditions obviate a simple hot versus cold storage dichotomy for large silicic magma systems.
Isotope Fractionation of Nitrate During Volatilization in Snow: A Field Investigation in Antarctica
Authors: Shi Guitao , Chai Jiajue , Zhu Zhuoyi , Hu Zhengyi , Chen Zhenlou , Yu Jinhai , Ma Tianming , Ma Hongmei , An Chunlei , Jiang Su , Tang Xueyuan , Hastings Meredith G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSeveral postdepositional processes impact snow nitrate; however, only the isotopic effects of nitrate photolysis have been quantified. Here we discuss results from experiments in field Antarctic snow investigating isotopic fractionation of nitrate due to volatilization. At −35 °C, concentration and isotopic composition of nitrate remained constant during the 16‐day experiment. At −24 °C, 7.5% of nitrate was lost, synchronous with 1.5‰ decrease in δ18O and a constant δ15N. At −4 °C, 38% of nitrate was lost, and δ15N and δ18O decreased by 3.1 and 1.8‰, respectively. Results at −4 °C yield calculated fractionation constants close to theoretical estimates including equilibrium isotopic exchange between nitric acid and nitrate and the desorption of nitric acid from water in quasi‐liquid layers. This suggests that isotopic fractionation associated with nitrate volatilization across most of Antarctica, especially at sites with temperatures <−24 °C, should be minor, but the isotopic effects at warmer sites should be considered in interpreting archived nitrate records.
Biomarkers of vascular injury in relation to myocardial infarction risk: A population-based study
Authors: Pletsch-Borba Laura , Grafetstätter Mirja , Hüsing Anika , González Maldonado Sandra , Kloss Manja , Groß Marie-Luise , Johnson Theron , Sookthai Disorn , Bugert Peter , Kaaks Rudolf , Kühn Tilman 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLittle is known about circulating biomarkers of vascular injury in relation to cardiovascular disease risk. Thus, we evaluated associations between six novel markers (E-Selectin, P-Selectin, thrombomodulin, thrombopoietin, intercellular adhesion molecule 3 and GPIIb/IIIa) and established cardiovascular risk factors as well as the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a population-based study. Biomarkers were measured in pre-diagnostic plasma samples of a case-cohort subset of EPIC-Heidelberg (incident MI cases: n = 369, random sub-cohort: n = 2,418). Generalized Linear models were used to analyse cross-sectional associations between biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariable Cox Regression analyses were carried out to obtain Hazard Ratios (HRs) of MI across quartiles of biomarkers levels. Cross-sectional analyses showed that sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes and exogenous hormone use were associated with biomarker levels. However, while fibrinogen was associated with MI risk (HR per standard deviation: 2.97 [95% confidence interval: 1.61, 5.46]), none of the six novel biomarkers was associated with MI risk after multivariable adjustment. In a population-based cohort, biomarkers of vascular injury were associated with established cardiovascular risk factors, but not MI risk. The tested biomarkers may reflect pathophysiological alterations in cardiovascular disease development rather than constituting independent MI risk factors.
Postural instability in an immersive Virtual Reality adapts with repetition and includes directional and gender specific effects
Authors: Fransson Per-Anders , Patel Mitesh , Jensen Hanna , Lundberg Michèle , Tjernström Fredrik , Magnusson Måns , Ekvall Hansson Eva 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe ability to handle sensory conflicts and use the most appropriate sensory information is vital for successful recovery of human postural control after injury. The objective was to determine if virtual reality (VR) could provide a vehicle for sensory training, and determine the temporal and spatial nature of such adaptive changes. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study (10 females). The subjects watched a 90-second VR simulation of railroad (rollercoaster) motion in mountainous terrain during five repeated simulations, while standing on a force platform that recorded their stability. The immediate response to watching the VR movie was an increased level of postural instability. Repeatedly watching the same VR movie significantly reduced both the anteroposterior (62%, p < 0.001) and lateral (47%, p = 0.001) energy used. However, females adapted more slowly to the VR stimuli as reflected by higher use of total (p = 0.007), low frequency (p = 0.027) and high frequency (p = 0.026) energy. Healthy subjects can significantly adapt to a multidirectional, provocative, visual environment after 4–5 repeated sessions of VR. Consequently, VR technology might be an effective tool for rehabilitation involving visual desensitisation. However, some females may require more training sessions to achieve effects with VR.
Differential effects of a combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora polyphenols in overweight/obese subjects: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Herranz-López María , Olivares-Vicente Mariló , Boix-Castejón Marina , Caturla Nuria , Roche Enrique , Micol Vicente 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPlant-polyphenols have shown the capacity to ameliorate obesity-induced metabolic disturbances, both in cell and animal models, where most therapeutic approaches have failed. On the basis of previous research, a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS), in the context of an equilibrated isocaloric diet, was evaluated in a double blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial in 56 obese/overweight subjects for two months. Compared to controls, the consumption of the LC-HS polyphenols showed significant improvements in body weight, abdominal circumference of overweight subjects (−6.79 ± 0.80 cm in overweight LC-HS group vs −1.85 ± 0.83 cm in controls, p < 0.001) and body fat % (−1.33 ± 0.15% in overweight LC-HS group vs −0.66 ± 0.17% in controls, p < 0.05). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure also presented significant improvements in overweight LC-HS participants. However, changes were more modest in obese subjects. Further, LC-HS extract significantly reduced lipid content and increased AMPK activity in a hypertrophied adipocyte cell model. Therefore, consumption of 500 mg/day of LC-HS extracts enriched in polyphenols for two months in the context of an isocaloric diet by overweight subjects decreased symptoms associated to obesity-related diseases. Modulation of fat metabolism in adipose tissue, probably mediated by AMPK activation, is proposed as a molecular target to be explored in future research.
Viscoelastic Separation and Concentration of Fungi from Blood for Highly Sensitive Molecular Diagnostics
Authors: Nam Jeonghun , Jang Woong Sik , Hong Da Hye , Lim Chae Seung 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIsolation and concentration of fungi in the blood improves sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect fungi in blood. This study demonstrates a sheathless, continuous separation and concentration method of candida cells using a viscoelastic fluid that enables rapid detection of rare candida cells by PCR analysis. To validate device performance using a viscoelastic fluid, flow characteristics of 2 μm particles were estimated at different flow rates. Additionally, a mixture of 2 μm and 13 μm particles was successfully separated based on size difference at 100 μl/min. Candida cells were successfully separated from the white blood cells (WBCs) with a separation efficiency of 99.1% and concentrated approximately 9.9-fold at the center outlet compared to the initial concentration (~2.5 × 107 cells/ml). Sequential 1st and 2nd concentration processes were used to increase the final number of candida cells to ~2.3 × 109 cells/ml, which was concentrated ~92-fold. Finally, despite the undetectable initial concentration of 101 CFU/ml, removal of WBCs and the additional buffer solution enabled the quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR detection of candida cells after the 1st concentration (Ct = 31.43) and the 2nd concentration process (Ct = 29.30).
The miRNA-targeted transcriptome of porcine alveolar macrophages upon infection with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Dhorne-Pollet Sophie , Crisci Elisa , Mach Nuria , Renson Patricia , Jaffrézic Florence , Marot Guillemette , Maroilley Tatiana , Moroldo Marco , Lecardonnel Jérôme , Blanc Fany , Bertho Nicolas , Bourry Olivier , Giuffra Elisabetta 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHost miRNAs are known to modulate the cell response to virus infections. We characterized the miRNA-targeted transcriptome of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) at early times after infection with a subtype 1.1 strain of PRRSV (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus). We performed the immunoprecipitation of RISC (RNA-induced Silencing Complex) followed by microarray analysis of the RISC-bound miRNA targets (RIP-Chip) to evaluate the relative enrichment or depletion of expressed genes in RISC. The miRNA-mediated regulation occurred early after PRRSV infection and decreased fast (1,241 and 141 RISC-bound genes at 7 h and 10 h post-infection, respectively); it affected several cell functions with evidence of miRNA buffering of upregulated interferon-related genes. Eight miRNAs were highly enriched in RISC of both control and infected cells with no evidence of differential expression. Although miR-335-5p was the miRNA with most predicted targets among enriched RISC-bound genes, no effects on surface markers, cytokine expression and PRRSV replication were detected upon miR-335-5p mimics of primary PAMs. Our results do not point to specific miRNA-driven mechanisms regulating the early response to infection with this PRRSV 1.1 strain and indicate that the miRNome expressed by steady-state PAMs reacts promptly to counterbalance PRRSV infection by a pervasive modulation of host functions.
Cervical cancer detection by DNA methylation analysis in urine
Authors: Snoek Barbara C. , Splunter Annina P. van , Bleeker Maaike C. G. , Ruiten Maartje C. van , Heideman Daniëlle A. M. , Rurup W. Frederik , Verlaat Wina , Schotman Hans , Gent Mignon van , Trommel Nienke E. van , Steenbergen Renske D. M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractUrine samples provide a potential alternative to physician-taken or self-collected cervical samples for cervical screening. Screening by primary hrHPV testing requires additional risk assessment (so-called triage) of hrHPV-positive women. Molecular markers, such as DNA methylation, have proven most valuable for triage when applied to cervical specimens. This study was set out to compare hrHPV and DNA methylation results in paired urine and cervical scrapes, and to evaluate the feasibility of DNA methylation analysis in urine to detect cervical cancer. Urine samples (n = 41; native and sediment) and paired cervical scrapes (n = 38) from cervical cancer patients, and urine from 44 female controls, were tested for hrHPV and 6 methylation markers. Results on native urine and sediment were highly comparable. A strong agreement was found between hrHPV testing on urine and scrapes (kappa = 0.79). Also, methylation levels in urine were moderately to strongly correlated to those detected in scrapes (r = 0.508–0.717). All markers were significantly increased in urine from cervical cancer patients compared to controls and showed a good discriminatory power for cervical cancer (AUC = 0.744–0.887). Our results show a good agreement of urine-based molecular analysis with reference cervical samples, and suggest that urine-based DNA methylation testing may provide a promising strategy for cervical cancer detection.
A novel organic-rich meteoritic clast from the outer solar system
Authors: Kebukawa Yoko , Ito Motoo , Zolensky Michael E. , Greenwood Richard C. , Rahman Zia , Suga Hiroki , Nakato Aiko , Chan Queenie H. S. , Fries Marc , Takeichi Yasuo , Takahashi Yoshio , Mase Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Kensei 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Zag meteorite which is a thermally-metamorphosed H ordinary chondrite contains a primitive xenolithic clast that was accreted to the parent asteroid after metamorphism. The cm-sized clast contains abundant large organic grains or aggregates up to 20 μm in phyllosilicate-rich matrix. Here we report organic and isotope analyses of a large (~10 μm) OM aggregate in the Zag clast. The X-ray micro-spectroscopic technique revealed that the OM aggregate has sp2 dominated hydrocarbon networks with a lower abundance of heteroatoms than in IOM from primitive (CI,CM,CR) carbonaceous chondrites, and thus it is distinguished from most of the OM in carbonaceous meteorites. The OM aggregate has high D/H and 15N/14N ratios (δD = 2,370 ± 74‰ and δ15N = 696 ± 100‰), suggesting that it originated in a very cold environment such as the interstellar medium or outer region of the solar nebula, while the OM is embedded in carbonate-bearing matrix resulting from aqueous activities. Thus, the high D/H ratio must have been preserved during the extensive late-stage aqueous processing. It indicates that both the OM precursors and the water had high D/H ratios. Combined with 16O-poor nature of the clast, the OM aggregate and the clast are unique among known chondrite groups. We further propose that the clast possibly originated from D/P type asteroids or trans-Neptunian Objects.