bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reframing sociologies of ethnicity and migration in encounters with Chinese London
Authors: Knowles Caroline 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this paper I argue that the intersecting sociologies of ethnicity and migration work from a series of interconnected blind spots hindering effective analysis of the current UK situation. Both operate analytically within the limitations of an ‘immigrant problem’ framework; are overinvested in state agendas; privilege a nation state analysis; are narrowly focused on distributions of migrant bodies, and on receiving, at the expense of sending, contexts. Exploring these limitations with data derived from a modest small‐scale qualitative study of young Chinese migrants in London, I argue for a reframing along four dimensions. Firstly, in an era of elite migration, sociology could reach beyond its immigrant problem framework and open up to a broader range of UK migrant ethnicities and circumstances. Secondly, a stronger focus on cities as the scale on which lives are lived, and through which diverse streams of translocal activity are routed, would open new avenues of sociological exploration. Thirdly, including translocal activities connected with distributions of ethnic migrant bodies, such as capital transfers, would broaden its focus, taking migration and ethnicity more centrally into the analysis of globalization as one of its constituting practices. Finally, paying attention to sending, as well as arrival cities, reveals migrants’ thinking and shapes the ways in which they live, as my data shows. The Chinese are both one of the UK's neglected minorities, and one of its fastest growing populations. They are a good example of new UK migrants and they bring globalization's realignment with the rising significance of China to the UK.
Simultaneous detection and identification of pathogenic Cronobacter species by high‐resolution melting analysis in powdered infant formulas
Authors: Hu Shuangfang , Yu Yigang , Wu Xinwei , Xia Xingzhou , Xiao Xinglong , Wu Hui 
Published: June 2017

A combination method of real‐time PCR and high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the rapid detection and specific classification of six pathogenic Cronobacter species based on gene cgcA was developed. HRM profiles with distinct Tm (melting temperature) peaks were consistently obtained with each species, represented by a single peak ranging from 86.02 to 86.80 °C. The detection limit ranged from 0.1 to 1 pg per reaction. Desiccated Cronobacter sakazakii and Cronobacter muytjensii of 2 cfu/25 g were successfully detected after 4‐week storage at room temperature. The newly developed method provided a molecular tool for direct detection and simultaneous identification of pathogenic Cronobacter species in powdered infant formulae.
Food Insecurity and Health Care Expenditures in the United States, 2011–2013
Authors: Berkowitz Seth A. , Basu Sanjay , Meigs James B. , Seligman Hilary K. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveTo determine whether food insecurity, limited or uncertain food access owing to cost, is associated with greater health care expenditures.Data Source/Study SettingNationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States (2011 National Health Interview Survey [NHIS] linked to 2012–2013 Medication Expenditure Panel Survey [MEPS]).Study DesignLongitudinal retrospective cohort.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsA total of 16,663 individuals underwent assessment of food insecurity, using the 10‐item adult 30‐day food security module, in the 2011 NHIS. Their total health care expenditures in 2012 and 2013 were recorded in MEPS. Expenditure data were analyzed using zero‐inflated negative binomial regression and adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, insurance, and residence area.Principal FindingsFourteen percent of individuals reported food insecurity, representing 41,616,255 Americans. Mean annualized total expenditures were $4,113 (standard error $115); 9.2 percent of all individuals had no health care expenditures. In multivariable analyses, those with food insecurity had significantly greater estimated mean annualized health care expenditures ($6,072 vs. $4,208,p < .0001), an extra $1,863 in health care expenditure per year, or $77.5 billion in additional health care expenditure annually.ConclusionsFood insecurity was associated with greater subsequent health care expenditures. Future studies should determine whether food insecurity interventions can improve health and reduce health care costs.
Real Assets, Collateral and the Limits of Debt Capacity
Authors: Giambona Erasmo , Mello Antonio S. , Riddiough Timothy J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe develop a model in which better quality firms separate themselves by issuing unsecured debt and committing to maintain a strong balance sheet, something lower‐quality firms find too costly to do. Lower‐quality firms, in contrast, pledge real assets in secured debt transactions. However, during turbulent financial periods, pooling occurs in the secured debt market, which raises the average quality of firms in that market. We use the 1998 Russian crisis together with the role played by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for apartment REITs to highlight the relation between financing outcomes and firm type.
Optimization of Bleaching Parameters in Refining Process of Kenaf Seed Oil with a Central Composite Design Model
Authors: Chew Sook Chin , Tan Chin Ping , Nyam Kar Lin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractKenaf seed oil has been suggested to be used as nutritious edible oil due to its unique fatty acid composition and nutritional value. The objective of this study was to optimize the bleaching parameters of the chemical refining process for kenaf seed oil, namely concentration of bleaching earth (0.5 to 2.5% w/w), temperature (30 to 110 °C) and time (5 to 65 min) based on the responses of total oxidation value (TOTOX) and color reduction using response surface methodology. The results indicated that the corresponding response surface models were highly statistical significant (P < 0.0001) and sufficient to describe and predict TOTOX value and color reduction with R2 of 0.9713 and 0.9388, respectively. The optimal parameters in the bleaching stage of kenaf seed oil were: 1.5% w/w of the concentration of bleaching earth, temperature of 70 °C, and time of 40 min. These optimum parameters produced bleached kenaf seed oil with TOTOX value of 8.09 and color reduction of 32.95%. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between experimental and predicted values, indicating the adequacy of the fitted models.
Extraction and Isolation of β‐Glucan from Grain Sources—A Review
Authors: Maheshwari Gunjan , Sowrirajan Sumathi , Joseph Baby 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA collective report on the extraction and isolation of β‐glucan from grain sources, namely, oat, barley, and wheat is presented. An analysis on the effect of medium, pH, and temperature on the purity and yield of the β‐glucan derived under acidic/alkaline/aqueous/enzymatic conditions is also made. Water extraction and alkali extraction processes are preferred as the yield and recovery of extracted β‐glucan were good. Cost‐effective development of the process for deriving high molecular weight β‐glucan is the current requirement for its wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Salicornia Extract Ameliorates Salt‐Induced Aggravation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Kim Jae Hwan , Suk Sujin , Jang Woo Jung , Lee Chang Hyung , Kim Jong‐Eun , Park Jin‐Kyu , Kweon Mee‐Hyang , Kim Jong Hun , Lee Ki Won 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHigh‐fat and high‐salt intakes are among the major risks of chronic diseases including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Salicornia is a halophytic plant known to exert antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects, and Salicornia‐extracted salt (SS) has been used as a salt substitute. In this study, the effects of SS and purified salt (PS) on the aggravation of NAFLD/NASH were compared. C57BL/6J male mice (8‐wk‐old) were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 mo and divided into 3 dietary groups, which were additionally fed HFD, HFD + SS, and HFD + PS for 13 wk. PS induced aggravation of NAFLD/NASH in HFD‐fed mice. Although the actual salt intake was same between the PS and SS groups as 1% of the diet (extrapolated from the World Health Organization [WHO] guideline), SS induced less liver injury and hepatic steatosis compared to PS. The hepatic mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis marker were significantly lower in the SS group than the PS group. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of inflammation in NAFLD/NASH. Results of the component analysis showed that the major polyphenols that exhibited antioxidant activity in the Salicornia water extract were ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and isorhamnetin. These results suggest that even the level of salt intake recommended by WHO can accelerate the progression of liver disease in obese individuals consuming HFD. It is proposed that SS can be a salt substitute for obese individuals who consume HFD.
Relationships of sex hormone levels with leukocyte telomere length in Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander postmenopausal women
Authors: Song Yan , Cho Michele , Brennan Kathleen M. , Chen Brian H. , Song Yiqing , Manson JoAnn E. , Hevener Andrea L. , You Nai‐Chieh Y. , Butch Anthony W. , Liu Simin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundSex hormones may play important roles in sex‐specific biological aging. In the study, we specifically examined associations between circulating sex hormone concentrations and leukocyte telomere length (TL).MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1124 Black, 444 Hispanic, and 289 Asian/Pacific Islander women in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Cohort. Estradiol and testosterone concentrations were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassays; TL was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsWomen in the study were aged 50–79 years. Estradiol concentrations were not significantly associated with TL in this sample. The associations between total and free testosterone and TL differed by race/ethnicity (Pinteraction = 0.03 and 0.05 for total and free testosterone, respectively). Total and free testosterone concentrations were not associated with TL in Black and Hispanic women, whereas in Asian/Pacific Islander women their concentrations were inversely associated with TL (Ptrend = 0.003 for both). These associations appeared robust in multiple subgroup analyses and multivariable models adjusted for potential confounding factors. In Asian/Pacific Islander women, a doubling of serum free and total testosterone concentrations was associated with a 202‐bp shorter TL (95% confidence interval [CI] 51–353 bp) and 203‐bp shorter TL (95% CI 50–355 bp), respectively.ConclusionsSerum estradiol concentrations were not associated with leukocyte TL in this large sample of postmenopausal women. Total and free testosterone concentrations were inversely associated with TL in Asian/Pacific Islander women, but not in Black and Hispanic women, although future studies to replicate our observations are warranted particularly to address potential ethnicity‐specific relationships.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit trial: detailed statistical analysis plan
Authors: Krag M. , Perner A. , Wetterslev J. , Lange T. , Wise M. P. , Borthwick M. , Bendel S. , Pelosi P. , Keus F. , Guttormsen A. B. , Schefold J. C. , Meyhoff T. S. , Marker S. , Møller M. H. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundIn this statistical analysis plan, we aim to provide details of the pre‐defined statistical analyses of the Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the Intensive Care Unit (SUP‐ICU) trial. The aim of the SUP‐ICU trial is to assess benefits and harms of stress ulcer prophylaxis with a proton pump inhibitor in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsThe SUP‐ICU trial is an investigator‐initiated, international, multicentre, randomised, blinded, parallel‐group trial of intravenously pantoprazole 40 mg once daily vs. placebo in 3350 acutely ill adult ICU patients at risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The primary outcome measure is 90‐day mortality. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of patients with clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection or myocardial ischaemia, days alive without life support, serious adverse reactions, 1‐year mortality, and a health economic analysis. Two formal interim analyses will be performed. The statistical analyses will be conducted according to the outlined pre‐defined statistical analysis plan. The primary analysis will be a logistic regression analysis adjusted for stratification variables comparing the two intervention groups in the intention‐to‐treat population. In a secondary analysis, we will additionally adjust the primary outcome for potential random differences in baseline characteristics. The conclusion will be based on the intention‐to‐treat population.ConclusionStress ulcer prophylaxis is standard of care in ICUs worldwide, but has never been tested in large high‐quality randomised placebo‐controlled trials. The SUP‐ICU trial will provide important high‐quality data on the balance between the benefits and harms of stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult critically ill patients.
Facial Curvature Detects and Explicates Ethnic Differences in Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Suttie Michael , Wetherill Leah , Jacobson Sandra W. , Jacobson Joseph L. , Hoyme H. Eugene , Sowell Elizabeth R. , Coles Claire , Wozniak Jeffrey R. , Riley Edward P. , Jones Kenneth L. , Foroud Tatiana , Hammond Peter ,   the CIFASD
Published: June 2017

BackgroundOur objective is to help clinicians detect the facial effects of prenatal alcohol exposure by developing computer‐based tools for screening facial form.MethodsAll 415 individuals considered were evaluated by expert dysmorphologists and categorized as (i) healthy control (HC), (ii) fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), or (iii) heavily prenatally alcohol exposed (HE) but not clinically diagnosable as FAS; 3D facial photographs were used to build models of facial form to support discrimination studies. Surface curvature‐based delineations of facial form were introduced.Results(i) Facial growth in FAS, HE, and control subgroups is similar in both cohorts. (ii) Cohort consistency of agreement between clinical diagnosis and HC‐FAS facial form classification is lower for midline facial regions and higher for nonmidline regions. (iii) Specific HC‐FAS differences within and between the cohorts include: for HC, a smoother philtrum in Cape Coloured individuals; for FAS, a smoother philtrum in Caucasians; for control‐FAS philtrum difference, greater homogeneity in Caucasians; for control‐FAS face difference, greater homogeneity in Cape Coloured individuals. (iv) Curvature changes in facial profile induced by prenatal alcohol exposure are more homogeneous and greater in Cape Coloureds than in Caucasians. (v) The Caucasian HE subset divides into clusters with control‐like and FAS‐like facial dysmorphism. The Cape Coloured HE subset is similarly divided for nonmidline facial regions but not clearly for midline structures. (vi) The Cape Coloured HE subset with control‐like facial dysmorphism shows orbital hypertelorism.ConclusionsFacial curvature assists the recognition of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and helps explain why different facial regions result in inconsistent control‐FAS discrimination rates in disparate ethnic groups. Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure can give rise to orbital hypertelorism, supporting a long‐standing suggestion that prenatal alcohol exposure at a particular time causes increased separation of the brain hemispheres with a concomitant increase in orbital separation.
Live birth rate following oral antibiotic treatment for chronic endometritis in infertile women with repeated implantation failure
Authors: Kitaya Kotaro , Matsubayashi Hidehiko , Takaya Yukiko , Nishiyama Rie , Yamaguchi Kohei , Takeuchi Takumi , Ishikawa Tomomoto 
Published: June 2017

ProblemThe aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) in infertile women with a history of repeated implantation failure (RIF) and to determine whether oral antibiotic treatment improves their live birth rate in the following embryo transfer (ET) cycles.Method of studyEndometrial biopsy samples obtained from infertile women with RIF were subjected to immunohistochemistrical/histopathologic diagnosis of CE. Following antibiotic administration to the RIF/CE group, their histopathologic cure rate, microbial detection rate, and reproductive outcome in the subsequent ET cycles were prospectively studied.Results33.7% of infertile women with RIF were diagnosed with CE. Following the first‐line doxycycline treatment, the histopathologic cure rate in the subsequent endometrial biopsy was 92.3%. Following the second‐line metronidazole/ciprofloxacin treatment, the overall cure rate was 99.1%. The live birth rate in the first ET cycle (P=.031, RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.03‐2.12) and cumulative three ET cycles (P=.037, RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.02‐1.90) following antibiotic treatment in the cured RIF/CE group (32.8% and 38.8%, respectively) was significantly higher than in the RIF/non‐CE group (22.1% and 27.9%, respectively).ConclusionChronic endometritis was found in one‐third of infertile women with RIF. The oral antibiotic treatment against CE might be a promising therapeutic option for infertile women with RIF.
Toll‐like receptor4 as a modulator of fertilization and subsequent pre‐implantation development following in vitro maturation in mice
Authors: Hosseini Sara , Dehghani‐Mohammadabadi Maryam , Ghafarri Novin Marefat , Haji Molla Hoseini Mostafa , Arefian Ehsan , Mohammadi Yeganeh Samira , Salehi Mohammad 
Published: June 2017

ProblemThe use of in vitro maturation (IVM) as an alternative approach to the conventional assisted reproductive technique in clinical practice is limited due to low fertilization rate. The expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) as members of an innate immune system in cumulus cells are thought to affect fertilization. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of IVM on TLR4 gene expression and fertilization rate in oocytes derived from IVM in comparison with in vivo matured one.Method of studyCumulus cells are collected from oocytes derived IVM and in vivo. The expression level of Tlr4 in cumulus cells of both groups was assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR. To examine the protein expression level of TLR4, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting techniques were carried out. TLR4 receptor functions were also confirmed by blockade assay and TLR4 receptor activation with lipopolysaccharide.ResultThere was a substantial decrease in fertilization and blastulation rate in the IVM group in comparison with the in vivo one. The mRNA expression and protein levels of TLR4 declined in cumulus cells following IVM. Anti‐TLR4 blocking antibody dramatically decreased the rate of fertilization and blastocyst formation compared to the in vivo group. In contrast, the fertilization rate was enhanced significantly in the presence of LPS as a TLR4 ligand compared to the control group.ConclusionLow expression level of Tlr4 following IVM and higher fertilization rate through TLR4 receptor activation with LPS proposed that alteration in TLR4 expression and subsequent cytokine section could be a possible cause of low fertilization rate in IVM‐derived oocytes.
Voriconazole Concentrations in Plasma and Epithelial Lining Fluid after Inhalation and Oral Treatment
Authors: Andersen Charlotte U. , Sønderskov Lene Dahl , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Voldby Nina , Cass Lindsey , Ayrton John , Hilberg Ole 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAdverse effects can compromise oral voriconazole treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. Inhaled low‐dose voriconazole may be an alternative treatment. In this study, six patients inhaled 40 mg voriconazole b.i.d. for 2 days, and six patients ingested 400 and 200 mg orally b.i.d. on day one and two, respectively. Blood samples were collected after the first inhalation, and bronchial alveolar lavage fluids and blood samples were collected for measurements of voriconazole 12 hr after the last administration. The concentration of voriconazole in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) was calculated by the urea dilution method. Voriconazole concentrations were detectable in plasma 15 min. after inhalation and declined at 30 and 60 min. Twelve hours after the last dose, median (95% CI) plasma voriconazole concentration was 8 (4–26) ng/mL in the inhalation group and 1224 (535–2341) ng/mL in the oral group (p < 0.0001). In ELF, median concentration was 190 (55–318) ng/mL and 8827 (4369–35172) ng/mL, respectively (p < 0.0001). Median ELF/plasma concentration ratio was 21 (6–63) in the inhalation group and 8 (3–20) in the oral group (p = 0.2). In conclusion, voriconazole is rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation after inhalation. There was a non‐significant trend towards a higher ELF/plasma concentration ratio in the inhalation group compared to the oral group.
The experiences of pregnant women in an interventional clinical trial: Research In Pregnancy Ethics (RIPE) study
Authors: Ballantyne Angela , Pullon Susan , Macdonald Lindsay , Barthow Christine , Wickens Kristen , Crane Julian 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThere is increasing global pressure to ensure that pregnant women are responsibly and safely included in clinical research in order to improve the evidence base that underpins healthcare delivery during pregnancy. One supposed barrier to inclusion is the assumption that pregnant women will be reluctant to participate in research. There is however very little empirical research investigating the views of pregnant women. Their perspective on the benefits, burdens and risks of research is a crucial component to ensuring effective recruitment. The Research In Pregnancy Ethics (RIPE) study set out to ascertain the views of pregnant women about research participation using an inductive thematic analysis. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 20 women who had participated in a double‐blind randomised placebo controlled trial in Wellington (New Zealand) while pregnant. Our results show that at least some pregnant women recognise the value and importance of research during pregnancy. The women we interviewed were deeply invested in the research process and outcomes. Key motivations for participating were altruism, playing a valuable civic role and the importance of research. The main perceived burdens related to inconvenience and time commitment. For some women, possible randomization to the placebo arm was regarded as a burden or disadvantage.
Who Fared Better? The Fortunes of Performance Pay and Fixed Pay Workers through Recession
Authors: Stokes Lucy , Bryson Alex , Forth John , Weale Martin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUsing the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, we explore whether the fortunes of employees paid for performance differ from those of fixed pay workers during recession. Only in the bottom quintile of the wage distribution were performance pay employees more likely to experience greater falls in real wages than fixed pay employees. Accounting for fixed unobserved worker characteristics suggests that this was not due to the wage‐setting mechanism itself, but that other factors are likely to be at play. While across most of the earnings distribution there was little evidence of greater wage flexibility among performance pay employees, they did have longer job tenure than fixed pay employees over the recession.