bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community participation in the decentralised district health systems in Tanzania: why do some health committees perform better than others?
Authors: Maluka Stephen Oswald , Bukagile Godfrey 
Published: June 2015

SummaryOver the past two decades, community participation has emerged as an important dimension within decentralised district healthcare systems. In Tanzania, initiatives to strengthen community participation have focused on the formation of the health committees. Studies have reported variations in the performance of the committees. An exploratory case study design focusing on two districts was adopted to explore the differences in practice of the health facility committees in a well‐functioning district and one that is not.In both study districts, the committees were in place. The most common activities of the health committees were assisting the clinic in day‐to‐day running. The health committees' influence on policy, planning and budgeting was limited. Managerial and leadership practices of the district health managers, including effective supervision and personal initiatives of the top‐district health officials coupled with incentives, are the major factors for the good performance of the health facility committees and the boards. Inadequate training and low public awareness affected the performance of the committees.A greater role in governance and oversight is essential for effective and meaningful health committees. To achieve impact, health committees will require adequate training on the following: roles and functions of the health facility committees and the boards; interaction between the committees and the communities and the health workers; development of health plans and budgets at the local and district level; and monitoring and tracking. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amaranthus leucocarpus lectin recognizes a moesin‐like O‐glycoprotein and costimulates murine CD3‐activated CD4+ T cells
Authors: Arenas‐Del Ángel Maria , Legorreta‐Herrera Martha , Mendoza‐Hernández Guillermo , Garfias Yonathan , Chávez Raul , Zenteno Edgar , Lascurain Ricardo 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe Galβ1,3GalNAcα1,O‐Ser/Thr specific lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus (ALL) binds a ∼70 kDa glycoprotein on murine T cell surface. We show that in the absence of antigen presenting cells, murine CD4+ T cells activated by an anti‐CD3 antibody plus ALL enhanced cell proliferation similar to those cells activated via CD3/CD28 at 48 h of culture. Moreover, ALL induced the production of IL‐4, IL‐10, TNF‐alpha, and TGF‐beta in CD3‐activated cells. Proteomic assay using two‐dimensional electrophoresis and far‐Western blotting, ALL recognized two prominent proteins associated to the lipid raft microdomains in CD3/CD28‐activated CD4+ T cells. By mass spectrometry, the peptide fragments from ALL‐recognized proteins showed sequences with 33% homology to matricin (gi|347839 NCBInr) and 41% identity to an unnamed protein related to moesin (gi|74186081 NCBInr). Confocal microscopy analysis of CD3/CD28‐activated CD4+ T cells confirmed that staining by ALL colocalized with anti‐moesin FERM domain antibody along the plasma membrane and in the intercellular contact sites. Our findings suggest that a moesin‐like O‐glycoprotein is the ALL‐recognized molecule in lipid rats, which induces costimulatory signals on CD4+ T cells.
Towards NO‐free Regulation of sGC: Design and Synthesis of trans‐AB‐porphyrins
Authors: Smoleń Sabina , Walaszek Dominika J. , Karczewski Maksymilian , Martin Emil , Gryko Dorota 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe pathogenesis of the cardiovascular system is often associated with dysfunction of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), which can be stimulated in both an NO‐dependent and ‐independent manner. It was previously reported that PPIX and its amphiphilic derivatives markedly activate the enzyme. To date, all porphyrins studied are naturally occurring compounds or their derivatives, possessing substituents at β‐positions. Such porphyrins are of limited abundance and their derivatives or analogues are difficult to synthesize, while synthetic meso‐substituted porphyrins are easy to prepare. Thus, we have decided to study their effect on guanylate cyclase. To this end, a series of trans‐AB‐porphyrins, bearing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups at the opposite ends of the macrocycle, loosely mimicking the arrangement of the substituents in PPIX, was design and synthesized. Their synthesis involves preparation of suitable building blocks – dipyrromethanes, starting from aldehydes or acetals and following an acid‐catalyzed [2+2]‐dipyrromethane condensation. Biological properties of synthesized porphyrins with regard to sGC activation were tested. meso‐Substituted porphyrins do interact with sGC, though they are poor activators, indicating that further optimization of their structure is required.
Analytic Requirements for the Doubly Labeled Water Method
Authors: Schoeller Dale A. , Taylor Peter B. , Shay Kathyjo 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe doubly labeled water method is the first method that accurately measures total daily energy expenditure in free‐living subjects over periods of days to weeks. Validations have indicated that the method can be performed with a coefficient of variation of between 3% and 5%. This precision, however, is dependent on the quality of the isotopic analyses. A recent interlaboratory comparison has indicated that there is a wide variation in the accuracy and precision with which deuterium and 18O enrichments are measured. This reduces the accuracy and precision with which a laboratory will perform the doubly labeled water method and in some cases may limit the application of this technique. Herein we review the analytical requirements for optimal use of the method and some of the potential sources of error in the stable isotope analysis.
Correction Approaches for Doubly Labeled Water in Situations of Changing Background Water Abundance
Authors: Jones Peter J.H. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDoubly labeled water (DLW) is an accurate, portable method for measuring free‐living energy expenditure. However, under certain conditions shifts in baseline abundance of deuterium and oxygen‐18 tracers used in the method may produce errors in derivation of both turnover (k) rates and calculated energy expenditure. Present objectives were to examine during what experimental situations baseline errors arise and to address means of correcting for such baseline shifts so that consequent errors in energy expenditure calculations are minimized. Under conditions where shifts in baseline abundance for deuterium and oxygen‐18 parallel abundances corresponding to the natural meteoric water ratio, self‐compensating changes in k values for both deuterium and oxygen will result in minimal error to the DLW energy expenditure calculations, provided that the dose ratio of isotopes also mimics the meteoric water line. However, in situations where relative shifts in abundance of each isotope across the measurement period are not in parallel relative to the natural meteoric water line, then the potential for larger DLW errors exists. Optimally, subjects should equilibrate with the new water source. Failing this, correction for shifting baseline can be accomplished by measuring isotopic abundance changes in a control group of subjects not given the DLW dose, but performing similar tasks and consuming the same diet as the group given DLW. Alternatively, theoretically based correction values can be calculated given knowledge of the abundances of the final drinking water and the interval time that subjects consumed the new fluid.
The Maastricht Protocol for the Measurement of Body Composition and Energy Expenditure with Labeled Water
Authors: Westerterp Klaas R. , Wouters Loek , van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter D. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAn update of practical aspects of the use of labeled water for the measurement of total body water (TBW) and energy expenditure (EE) is presented as applied in Maastricht, The Netherlands. We use a 10‐hour equilibration period. The isotopes for the measurement of TBW and EE are routinely administered, after collecting a background urine sample, as a last consumption before the night. Our data show an underestimate of TBW measured with isotope dilution after 4 hours (in the morning), a discrepancy which increases with the size of TBW. No such relation and no significant differences were found after 10‐hour (overnight) equilibration. The ratio between the dilution space for deuterium and oxygen‐18 is higher than the earlier figure of 1.03, especially in adult subjects with a high body fat content. For an observation period of EE over two weeks, samples from the second and the last voiding on the first, mid, and last day of the observation period are collected. Differences in EE calculated from morning and evening samples within the first and second week allow detection of sampling errors and if so, samples are excluded from the final calculation. Differences of EE between weeks 1 and 2 allow a check for the consistency of the subjects' physical activity level and usually fall within 10% of the average EE over the total observation interval.
Difficulties in establishing regulations for engineered nanomaterials and considerations for policy makers: avoiding an unbalance between benefits and risks
Authors: Garduño‐Balderas Luis Guillermo , Urrutia‐Ortega Ismael Manuel , Medina‐Reyes Estefany Ingrid , Chirino Yolanda Irasema 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCurrent evidence of engineered nanomaterials’ (ENM) toxicity has led to a latent concern about hazards for both humans and the environment. For this reason, some efforts have been made to suggest frameworks or other guidance to regulate ENM handling; however, the real exposure risk to humans has not been well established. The aims of this work were to analyze the difficulties in establishing regulations for ENM and to discuss some considerations that may be helpful for policy makers involved in the regulation of ENM. Difficulties in establishing regulations are based on the novel properties of ENM associated with cytotoxic effects, the insufficiency of standardized methods to test those effects and the lack of epidemiological evidence of ENM toxicity, especially in occupational settings. Nevertheless, we offer some suggestions for establishing regulations, which include frameworks oriented towards protecting personnel exposed to ENM without decreasing production. In addition, we propose an ENM data sheet to offer available information of ENM. Finally, ethical aspects should also be considered in developing ENM regulations because every person who is working around or consuming ENM has the right to be informed about the potential risk. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating mitochondriomics in children's environmental health
Authors: Brunst Kelly J. , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Wright Rosalind J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe amount of scientific research linking environmental exposures and childhood health outcomes continues to grow; yet few studies have teased out the mechanisms involved in environmentally‐induced diseases. Cells can respond to environmental stressors in many ways: inducing oxidative stress/inflammation, changes in energy production and epigenetic alterations. Mitochondria, tiny organelles that each retains their own DNA, are exquisitely sensitive to environmental insults and are thought to be central players in these pathways. While it is intuitive that mitochondria play an important role in disease processes, given that every cell of our body is dependent on energy metabolism, it is less clear how environmental exposures impact mitochondrial mechanisms that may lead to enhanced risk of disease. Many of the effects of the environment are initiated in utero and integrating mitochondriomics into children's environmental health studies is a critical priority. This review will highlight (i) the importance of exploring environmental mitochondriomics in children's environmental health, (ii) why environmental mitochondriomics is well suited to biomarker development in this context, and (iii) how molecular and epigenetic changes in mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may reflect exposures linked to childhood health outcomes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(ethylene glycol)‐containing hydrogels modulate α‐defensin release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocyte recruitment
Authors: Lieberthal Tyler Jacob , Cohen Hannah Caitlin , Kao W. John 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPolymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) release granule proteins as the first line of defense against bacteria and set up chemotactic gradients that result in monocyte infiltration to the site of injury. Although well established, the role of biomaterials in regulating adherent PMN degranulation and subsequent PMN‐monocyte paracrine interactions is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine how biomaterials affect the degranulation of selected biomarkers and downstream monocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐containing hydrogels (PEG and an interpenetrating network of PEG and gelatin) promote the release of the α‐defensins human neutrophil peptides 1–3, but not azurocidin or monocyte chemotactic protein‐1. Although human neutrophil peptides 1–3 are monocyte chemoattractants, no subsequent effects on monocyte transmigration are observed in static conditions. Under flow conditions, monocyte adhesion on human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐α is elevated in the presence of granule proteins from PMNs adherent on polydimethylsiloxane, but not from PMNs cultured on PEG hydrogels. These results suggest that PEG promotes PMN antimicrobial capacity without enhanced monocyte recruitment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3772–3780, 2015.
The Influence of Concentration on the Morphology of Fibres Self‐assembled by Ferrocenyl Surfacant and Methyl Orange
Authors: Li Qiuhong , Luo Linlin , Liu Runzhe , Li Aixiang 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIonic self‐assembly, the combination of the building blocks with opposite charge by electrostatic association, has many merits, such as simple, cheap and easy to get, flexible reversible and wide range of applications. In this paper, fibres were synthesized by combining surfactant N, N‐dimethylferrocenylmethyl hexadecyl‐ammonium bromide (Fc16AB) and fluorescent dye methyl orange (MO) using ionic self‐assembly techniques. The morphology of self‐assemblies with different concentration are measured and characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the concentration of Fc16AB and MO has great effects on the morphology of obtained microfibers.
Preparation and Characterization of PET/LDH or Clay Nanocomposites through the Microcompounding Process
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Yen , Laio Jun‐Ru , Naveen Bunekar 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThermally stable modifier were used to modify clay or lithium aluminum layered double hydroxides (LiAl LDH) nanoparticles for preparation of poly (ethylene terephthalate)/clay or LiAl LDH nanocomposites. The effect of modify agent, studied by microcompouding process. The PET nanocomposites which were made by twin‐screw microcompounder dispersion morphology of inorganic layered materials in nanocomposites could be explained by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanocomposite also formed the better mechanical, UV resistance, and gas barrier properties. Optical properties and crystallization behaviour of these new types of nanocomposites are investigated in this paper.
Nano TiO2Modified Carbon‐ceramic Electrode and Its Application for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of NADH
Authors: Majidi Mir Reza , Bagheri Nafiseh , Hassanzadeh Javad 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe electrocatalytic oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was studied on nanoTiO2 modified sol‐gel electrode, using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry as diagnostic techniques. It is demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles on sol‐gel network catalyze the oxidation of NADH in the absence of any electron transfer mediators. Effect of various parameters such as pH, scan rate, TiO2 percentage on the response of modified electrode was studied. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the surface morphology of the spots. A dynamic range between 0.5–50 μM with detection limit of 0.35 μM was obtained with DPV studies. This method was successfully used for determination of NADH in cucumber cotyledons samples. The electrode showed relatively good stability over more than 2 months.
A Theoretical Investigation of Surface‐enhanced Sum‐frequency Generation
Authors: Yeh Y. L. , Lei J. , Chen S. Y. , Chang A. H. H. , Lin C. K. , He R. X. , Lin S. H. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFollowing the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), we shall investigate the possibility of observing surface‐enhanced sum‐frequency generation (SESFG), which refers to the transformation of ordinary vibrational SFG (i.e. singly resonant) into SESFG. Two mechanisms of SESFG will be studied; one is due to the transformation of singly‐resonant vibrational SFG into doubly resonant vibrational SFG (that is, both vibrationally resonant and Raman‐scattering resonant) and the other is due to the enhancement of the polarizability in addition to the original vibrational resonance in vibrational SFG.
Formation of NO from N2/O2 Mixtures in a Flow Reactor: Toward an Accurate Prediction of Thermal NO
Authors: Abian Maria , Alzueta Maria U. , Glarborg Peter 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTWe have conducted flow reactor experiments for NO formation from N2/O2 mixtures at high temperatures and atmospheric pressure, controlling accurately temperature and reaction time. Under these conditions, atomic oxygen equilibrates rapidly with O2. The experimental results were interpreted by a detailed chemical model to determine the rate constant for the reaction N2 + O ⇌ NO + N (R1). We obtain k1 = 1.4 × 1014 exp(−38,300/T) cm3 mol−1 s−1 at 1700–1800 K, with an error limit of ±30%. This value is 25% below the recommendation of Baulch et al. for k1, while it corresponds to a value k1b of the reverse reaction 25% above the Baulch et al. evaluation. Combination of our results with literature values leads to a recommended rate constant for k1b of 9.4 × 1012 T0.14 cm3 mol−1 s−1 over 250–3000 K. This value, which reconciles the differences between the forward and reverse rate constant, is recommended for use in kinetic modeling.
A Novel (SiO2/MgO/MgCl2)·TiClx Ziegler–Natta Catalyst for Ethylene and Ethylene/1‐Hexene Polymerization
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Cheng Ruihua , He Xuelian , Liu Zhen , Tian Zhou , Liu Boping 
Published: June 2015

A novel (SiO2/MgO/MgCl2)·TiClx Ziegler–Natta catalyst for ethylene and ethylene/1‐hexene polymerization is successfully developed through impregnation of aqueous solution of water‐soluble Mg‐compounds such as magnesium acetate on silica gel, and forming a supported thin layer of magnesium oxide on the surface of SiO2 after high temperature calcination in dry air or oxygen, followed by further reacting with titanium tetrachloride to synthesize the magnesium dichloride carrier in situ and to support the titanium species simultaneously. The method is relatively simple and the resulting catalysts exhibit high activity, good hydrogen response, and copolymerization ability with high 1‐hexene incorporation. Unlike the traditional industrial Ti/Mg Ziegler–Natta catalysts using the relatively expensive, anhydrous and moisture‐sensitive MgCl2, Mg(OEt)2, MgR2 or RMgCl as Mg‐sources, the most unique feature of this novel catalyst is its capability of utilization of any soluble Mg‐compounds and thus shows great potential for application in commercial gas‐phase polyolefin processes.
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Oral administration of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles attenuates arthritis in two mouse models
Authors: Arntz Onno J. , Pieters Bartijn C.H. , Oliveira Marina C. , Broeren Mathijs G.A. , Bennink Miranda B. , de Vries Marieke , van Lent Peter L.E.M. , Koenders Marije I. , van den Berg Wim B. , van der Kraan Peter M. , van de Loo Fons A.J. 
Published: June 2015

ScopeThis study shows the effect of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles (BMEVs) on spontaneous polyarthritis in IL‐1Ra‐deficient mice and collagen‐induced arthritis.Methods and resultsBMEVs were isolated from semi‐skimmed milk by ultracentrifugation and the particle size was around 100 nm by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. BMEVs expressed exosome marker CD63, immunoregulatory microRNA's (miR‐30a, ‐223, ‐92a), and milk‐specific beta‐casein and beta‐lactoglobulin mRNA. In vitro, PKH‐67‐labeled BMEVs were taken up by RAW264.7, splenocytes, and intestinal cells as determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. IL‐1Ra−/− mice received BMEVs by daily oral gavage starting at wk 5 till 15 after birth and collagen‐induced arthritis mice via their drinking water starting 1 wk before immunization till day 40. Macroscopically, BMEV treatment delayed the onset of arthritis and histology showed diminished cartilage pathology and bone marrow inflammation in both models. BMEV treatment also reduced the serum levels of MCP‐1 and IL‐6 and their production by splenic cells. BMEV treatment diminished the anticollagen IgG2a levels, which was accompanied by reduced splenic Th1 (Tbet) and Th17 (RORγT) mRNA.ConclusionThis is the first report that oral delivery of BMEVs ameliorates experimental arthritis and this warrants further research to determine whether this beneficial effect can be seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Microglial HO‐1 induction by curcumin provides antioxidant, antineuroinflammatory, and glioprotective effects
Authors: Parada Esther , Buendia Izaskun , Navarro Elisa , Avendaño Carlos , Egea Javier , López Manuela G. 
Published: June 2015

ScopeWe have studied if curcumin can protect glial cells under an oxidative stress and inflammatory environment, which is known to be deleterious in neurodegeneration.Methods and resultsPrimary rat glial cultures exposed to the combination of an oxidative (rotenone/oligomycin A) and a proinflammatory LPS stimuli reduced by 50% glial viability. Under these experimental conditions, curcumin afforded significant glial protection and reduction of reactive oxygen species; these effects were blocked by the HO‐1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin‐IX (SnPP). These findings correlate with the observation that curcumin induced the antioxidative protein HO‐1. Most interesting was the observation that the glial protective effects related to HO‐1 induction were microglial specific as shown in glial cultures from LysMCreHmox∆/∆ mice where curcumin lost its protective effect. Under LPS conditions, curcumin reduced the microglial proinflammatory markers iNOS and tumor necrosis factor, but increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL4. Analysis of the microglial phenotype showed that curcumin favored a ramified morphology toward a microglial alternative activated state against LPS insult also by a HO‐1‐dependent mechanism.ConclusionThe curry constituent curcumin protects glial cells and promotes a microglial anti‐inflammatory phenotype by a mechanism that implicates HO‐1 induction; these effects may have impact on brain protection under oxidative and inflammatory conditions.