bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D status and its determinants in children and adults among families in late summer in Denmark
Authors: Madsen Katja H. , Rasmussen Lone B. , Mejborn Heddie , Andersen Elisabeth W. , Mølgaard Christian , Nissen Janna , Tetens Inge , Andersen Rikke 
Published: June 2014

The impact of the familial relationship on vitamin D status has not been investigated previously. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and its determinants in children and adults among families in late summer in Denmark (56°N). Data obtained from 755 apparently healthy children (4–17 years) and adults (18–60 years) recruited as families (n 200) in the VitmaD study were analysed. Blood samples were collected in September–October, and serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by liquid chromatography–tandem MS. Information on potential determinants was obtained using questionnaires. The geometric mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 72·1 (interquartile range 61·5–86·7) nmol/l (range 9–162 nmol/l), with 9 % of the subjects having 25(OH)D concentrations < 50 nmol/l. The intra-family correlation was 0·27 in all subjects, 0·24 in the adults and 0·42 in the children. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was negatively associated with BMI (P< 0·001) and positively associated with dietary vitamin D intake (P= 0·008), multivitamin use (P= 0·019), solarium use (P= 0·006), outdoor stay (P= 0·001), sun preference (P= 0·002) and sun vacation (P< 0·001), but was not associated with lifestyle-related factors in the adults when these were assessed together with the other determinants. In conclusion, the majority of children and adults among the families had serum 25(OH)D concentrations >50 nmol/l in late summer in Denmark. Both dietary and sun-related factors were determinants of vitamin D status and the familial component was stronger for the children than for the adults.
Association between sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened soft drinks and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Greenwood D. C. , Threapleton D. E. , Evans C. E. L. , Cleghorn C. L. , Nykjaer C. , Woodhead C. , Burley V. J. 
Published: June 2014

The intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but it is unclear whether this is because of the sugar content or related lifestyle factors, whether similar associations hold for artificially sweetened soft drinks, and how these associations are related to BMI. We aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and dose–response meta-analysis of evidence from prospective cohorts to explore these issues. We searched multiple sources for prospective studies on sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened soft drinks in relation to the risk of type 2 diabetes. Data were extracted from eleven publications on nine cohorts. Consumption values were converted to ml/d, permitting the exploration of linear and non-linear dose–response trends. Summary relative risks (RR) were estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The summary RR for sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened soft drinks were 1·20/330 ml per d (95 % CI 1·12, 1·29,P< 0·001) and 1·13/330 ml per d (95 % CI 1·02, 1·25,P= 0·02), respectively. The association with sugar-sweetened soft drinks was slightly lower in studies adjusting for BMI, consistent with BMI being involved in the causal pathway. There was no evidence of effect modification, though both these comparisons lacked power. Overall between-study heterogeneity was high. The included studies were observational, so their results should be interpreted cautiously, but findings indicate a positive association between sugar-sweetened soft drink intake and type 2 diabetes risk, attenuated by adjustment for BMI. The trend was less consistent for artificially sweetened soft drinks. This may indicate an alternative explanation, such as lifestyle factors or reverse causality. Future research should focus on the temporal nature of the association and whether BMI modifies or mediates the association.
Dietary l-carnitine supplementation increases lipid deposition in the liver and muscle of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) through changes in lipid metabolism
Authors: Zheng Jia-Lang , Luo Zhi , Zhuo Mei-Qing , Pan Ya-Xiong , Song Yu-Feng , Hu Wei , Chen Qi-Liang 
Published: June 2014

Carnitine has been reported to improve growth performance and reduce body lipid content in fish. Thus, we hypothesised that carnitine supplementation can improve growth performance and reduce lipid content in the liver and muscle of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), a commonly cultured freshwater fish in inland China, and tested this hypothesis in the present study. Diets containing l-carnitine at three different concentrations of 47 mg/kg (control, without extra carnitine addition), 331 mg/kg (low carnitine) and 3495 mg/kg (high carnitine) diet were fed to yellow catfish for 8 weeks. The low-carnitine diet significantly improved weight gain (WG) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR). In contrast, the high-carnitine diet did not affect WG and FCR. Compared with the control diet, the low-carnitine and high-carnitine diets increased lipid and carnitine contents in the liver and muscle. The increased lipid content in the liver could be attributed to the up-regulation of the mRNA levels of SREBP, PPARγ, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and ACCa and the increased activities of lipogenic enzymes (such as FAS, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) and to the down-regulation of the mRNA levels of the lipolytic gene CPT1A. The increased lipid content in muscle could be attributed to the down-regulation of the mRNA levels of the lipolytic genes CPT1A and ATGL and the increased activity of lipoprotein lipase. In conclusion, in contrast to our hypothesis, dietary carnitine supplementation increased body lipid content in yellow catfish.
Characterization ofAscarisfrom Ecuador and Zanzibar
Authors: Sparks A.M. , Betson M. , Oviedo G. , Sandoval C. , Cooper P.J. , Stothard J.R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractTo shed light on the epidemiology of ascariasis in Ecuador and Zanzibar, 177 adult worms retrieved by chemo-expulsion from either people or pigs were collected, measured and subjected to polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Upon double digestion withRsaI andHaeIII, PCR-RFLP analysis revealed the presence ofA. lumbricoidesin people andA. suumin pigs in Ecuador. In contrast, while there are no pigs on Zanzibar, of the 56 worms obtained from people, one was genotyped asA. suum. No additional genetic variation was detected upon further PCR-RFLP analysis with several other restriction enzymes. Upon measurement, worm mass and length differed by location and by species,A. suumbeing lighter and longer. While there is no evidence to suggest zoonotic transmission in Ecuador, an enduring historical signature of previous zoonotic transmission remains on Zanzibar.
Tools for diagnosis, monitoring and screening ofSchistosomainfections utilizing lateral-flow based assays and upconverting phosphor labels
Authors: CORSTJENS PAUL L. A. M. , DE DOOD CLAUDIA J. , KORNELIS DIEUWKE , TJON KON FAT ELISA M. , WILSON R. ALAN , KARIUKI THOMAS M. , NYAKUNDI RUTH K. , LOVERDE PHILIP T. , ABRAMS WILLIAM R. , TANKE HANS J. , VAN LIESHOUT LISETTE , DEELDER ANDRÉ M. , VAN DAM GOVERT J. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYThe potential of various quantitative lateral flow (LF) based assays utilizing up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporters for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis is reviewed including recent developments. Active infections are demonstrated by screening for the presence of regurgitated worm antigens (genus specific polysaccharides), whereas anti-Schistosomaantibodies may indicate ongoing as well as past infections. The circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in serum or urine (and potentially also saliva) is identified as the marker that may allow detection of single-worm infections. Quantitation of antigen levels is a reliable method to study effects of drug administration, worm burden and anti-fecundity mechanisms. Moreover, the ratio of CAA and circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) is postulated to facilitate identification of eitherSchistosoma mansoniorSchistosoma haematobiuminfections. The UCP-LF assays allow simultaneous detection of multiple targets on a single strip, a valuable feature for antibody detection assays. Although antibody detection in endemic regions is not a useful tool to diagnose active infections, it gains potential when the ratio of different classes of antibody specific for the parasite/disease can be determined. The UCP-LF antibody assay format allows this type of multiplexing, including testing a linear array of up to 20 different targets. Multiple test spots would allow detection of specific antibodies, e.g. against differentSchistosomaspecies or other pathogens as soil-transmitted helminths. Concluding, the different UCP-LF based assays for diagnosis of schistosomiasis provide a collection of tests with relatively low complexity and high sensitivity, covering the full range of diagnostics needed in control programmes for mapping, screening and monitoring.
OPENING OFFER OR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION? ON THE PRESCRIPTIVE FUNCTION OF NOTATION IN MUSIC TODAY
Authors: Fox Christopher 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article explores some of the diverse forms that musical notation has assumed in the early twenty-first century and discusses its use along a broad spectrum of creative intention, which includes visual representation of sounds, verbal lists of instructions or provocations, and much else. Drawing upon his own experience as a composer, and on studies of the work of composers both older and younger (Stockhausen, Lucier, Wolff; Molitor, Lely), the author examines the changing meanings of notes, staves and clefs, and the possibilities of graphic scores, text scores, and hybrid forms of notation.
JOANNA BAILIE: STRANGE PARALLEL MUSIC
Authors: Power Stephanie 
Published: June 2014

AbstractComposer and sonic artist Joanna Bailie has described her creative journey to date as a series of ‘not entirely reconcilable’ stages. This article introduces her work through a broadly chronological survey, tracing her career and offering a detailed consideration of her recent and current musico-aesthetic concerns. It will become evident that paradox and the juxtaposition of ‘not entirely reconcilable’ elements are, as it happens, key positive components of Bailie's art on many levels. Moreover, it will be seen that her work posits a conscious and highly personal response to certain perceived crises regarding ‘contemporary classical music’, a term which Bailie herself detests. Particular reference is made to Bailie's ongoing series of concert pieces combining acoustic instruments with field recordings, Artificial Environments, and a series of site-specific audio-visual installations, the place that you can see and hear.
ALONG THE GRAIN: THE MUSIC OF CASSANDRA MILLER
Authors: Weeks James 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article is an analytical study of the music of, and an interview with, the Canadian composer Cassandra Miller. Her use of recordings as starting-points for several of her compositions is explored, as is her fondness for loop-based structures, which are sometimes inspired by analogous processes in the world of film. A brief overview of Miller's work to date is complemented by a close examination of several scores, notably Bel Canto, “O Zomer!” and Philip the wanderer. The concluding interview with the composer presents Miller's present musical and artistic concerns in her own words.
ADAPTIVE APPROACHES TO LICENSING, HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, AND INTRODUCTION OF DRUGS AND DEVICES
Authors: Husereau Don , Henshall Chris , Jivraj Jamil 
Published: June 2014

Background: Adaptive approaches to the introduction of drugs and medical devices involve the use of an evolving evidence base rather than conventional single-point-in-time evaluations as a proposed means to promote patient access to innovation, reduce clinical uncertainty, ensure effectiveness, and improve the health technology development process.Methods: This report summarizes a Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Policy Forum discussion, drawing on presentations from invited experts, discussions among attendees about real-world case examples, and background paper.Results: For adaptive approaches to be understood, accepted, and implemented, the Forum identified several key issues that must be addressed. These include the need to define the goals of and to set priorities for adaptive approaches; to examine evidence collection approaches; to clarify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders; to understand the implications of adaptive approaches on current legal and ethical standards; to determine costs of such approaches and how they will be met; and to identify differences in applying adaptive approaches to drugs versus medical devices. The Forum also explored the different implications of adaptive approaches for various stakeholders, including patients, regulators, HTA/coverage bodies, health systems, clinicians, and industry.Conclusions: A key outcome of the meeting was a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges adaptive approaches present. Furthermore, the Forum brought to light the critical importance of recognizing and including a full range of stakeholders as contributors to a shared decision-making model implicit in adaptive pathways in future discussions on, and implementation of, adaptive approaches.
Schorlomite and morimotoite: what's in a name?
Authors: Antao Sytle M. 
Published: June 2014

The crystal structure of an isotropic, single phase, Ti-rich schorlomite garnet, ideally Ca3Ti4+2(Fe3+2Si)O12, from Magnet Cove, Arkansas was refined with the Rietveld method, space group $Ia\overline 3 d$, and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction data. Electron-microprobe analysis gave an average composition {Ca2.92Na0.04Mn2+0.03Mg0.01}Σ3[Ti1.04Fe3+0.46Mg0.18Fe2+0.16Zr4+0.13V3+0.04]Σ2(Si2.21Fe3+0.71Al0.07)Σ3O12, and corresponds to the general garnet formula of [8]X3[6]Y2[4]Z3[4]O12. Schorlomite is the dominant component, but the composition contains significant amounts (>15 mol.%) of andradite, Ca3(Fe3+2)Si3O12, morimotoite, Ca3(Ti4+Fe2+)Si3O12, and morimotoite-(Mg), Ca3(Ti4+Mg)Si3O12. The crystal structure model was refined well using isotropic and anisotropic displacement parameters. Using isotropic displacement parameters, the χ2 and R (F2) Rietveld refinement values are 1.148 and 0.0742, respectively. The unit-cell parameter, a = 12.18599(1) (Å), is large for a natural schorlomite for which complete structural data are available. The bond distances are average <Ca–O> = 2.4461, Ti–O = 2.0085(5), Si–O = 1.7022(5) Å, and site occupancy factors (sofs) for Ca(sof) = 0.963(1), Ti(sof) = 1.045(1), and Si(sof) = 1.150(2). Comparison of schorlomite data from the type locality in Magnet Cove with morimotoite from Ice River, Canada and the type locality in Japan show that they are quite similar and cast doubts as to morimotoite being different from schorlomite.
A Cognitive Construction Grammar approach to the pluralization of presentational haber in Puerto Rican Spanish
Authors: Claes Jeroen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this paper, I present an analysis of the pluralization of haber ‘there is/are’ in Puerto Rican Spanish (e.g., habían fiestas ‘there were parties’) as an ongoing language change from below in which the impersonal argument-structure construction (<AdvPhaberObj>) is being replaced by a personal variant (<AdvPhaberSubj>). Speakers pluralize presentational haber in about 41% of the cases, and linguistic conditioning factors are ‘typical action chain-position of the noun's referent,’ polarity of the clause, verb tense, comprehension-to-production priming, and production-to-production priming. I argue that the effect of these independent variables can be traced back to three cognitive factors: the preference for unmarked coding, statistical preemption, and structural priming. Social distributions can also be modeled in constructionist frameworks, with results for social class, formality, and gender advocating in favor of considering this variation as an ongoing change from below, which allows speakers to position themselves in terms of gender and social class.
ELNgene triplication responsible for familial supravalvular aortic aneurysm
Authors: Guemann Anne-Sophie , Andrieux Joris , Petit Florence , Halimi Emmanuel , Bouquillon Sonia , Manouvrier-Hanu Sylvie , Van De Kamp Jiddeke , Boileau Catherine , Hanna Nadine , Jondeau Guillaume , Vaksmann Guy , Houfflin-Debarge Veronique , Holder-Espinasse Muriel 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSupravalvular aortic aneurysms are less frequent than abdominal ones. Among Supravalvular aortic aneurysm aetiologies, we focused on dystrophic lesions as they can be secondary to genetic causes such as elastin anomaly. We report on a familial 7q11.23 triplication – including theELNgene – segregating with a supravalvular aortic aneurysm. During her first pregnancy, our index patient was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis and with a Supravalvular aortic aneurysm. The foetus was affected equally. For the second pregnancy, parents applied for preimplantation diagnosis, and a subsequent prenatal diagnosis was offered to the couple, comprisingTSC1molecular analysis, karyotype, and multiplex ligation probe amplification.TSC1mutation was not found on foetal deoxyribo nucleic acid. Foetal karyotype was normal, but multiplex ligation probe amplification detected a 7q11.23 duplication. Quantitative-polymerase chain reaction and array-comparative genomic hybridisation carried out to further assess this chromosome imbalance subsequently identified a 7q11.23 triplication involvingELNandLIMK1. Foetal heart ultrasound identified a Supravalvular aortic aneurysm. A familial screening was offered for the 7q11.23 triplication and, when found, heart ultrasound was performed. The triplication was diagnosed in our index case as well as in her first child. Of the 17 individuals from this family, 11 have the triplication. Of the 11 individuals with the triplication, 10 were identified to have a supravalvular aortic aneurysm. Of them, two individuals received a medical treatment and one individual needed surgery. We provide evidence of supravalvular aortic aneurysm segregating with 7q11.23 triplication in this family. We would therefore recommend cardiac surveillance for individuals with 7q11.23 triplication. It would also be interesting to offer a quantitative-polymerase chain reaction or an array-comparative genomic hybridisation to a larger cohort of patients presenting with isolated supravalvular aortic aneurysm, as it may provide further information.
Plasma adiponectin levels and relations with cytokines in children with acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Ozgen Huriye , Ucar Birsen , Yildirim Ali , Colak Omer , Bal Cengiz , Kilic Zubeyir 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAim: We aimed to investigate the role of adiponectin in acute rheumatic fever by evaluating correlations with cytokines and acute-phase reactants. Methods: Patients were divided into three groups by clinical findings. Group 1 included 8 patients with only chorea, Group 2 included 13 patients with arthritis and carditis, and Group 3 included 12 patients with only carditis. A total of 54 age- and gender-matched children were enrolled in the control group. Blood samples were drawn for analysing acute-phase reactants, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 levels at baseline on Days 2, 5, 10, and 15, and at 8 weeks. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between baseline age, gender, body mass index, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels of the study and control groups (p>0.05). No correlation was found between baseline plasma adiponectin levels, age, body mass index, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, oestradiol, total testosterone, and blood lipid levels of the study and control groups (p>0.05). We found that adiponectin and interleukin-6 levels increased, tumour necrosis factor-α levels decreased, and interleukin-8 levels remained unchanged in acute rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory disease. Moreover, adiponectin level was higher and tumour necrosis factor-α level was lower in the improvement period in comparison with the acute period, particularly in the carditis group. Conclusion: It was considered that, increasing throughout the treatment period, adiponectin may have anti-inflammatory effects in acute rheumatic fever. In addition, adiponectin levels are associated with a decline in inflammatory mediators in rheumatic fever.
Rare combination of bilateral divided atrial chambers and pulmonary vein stenosis with review of the literature
Authors: Al-Mousily Faris , Baslaim Ghassan , Kouatli Amjad , Al-Ata Jameel , Arfi Amin M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIntroduction:The term cor triatriatum is used to describe a fibromuscular partition that divides an atrium into two compartments. It was first used by Borst in 1905, although the lesion had been described before by Church in 1868. Both described divided left atrial chamber (also referred to as cor triatriatum sinister). The incidence of the divided left atrial chamber among patients with congenital heart disease is reported at 0.1% and 0.4% in an autopsy study. Divided right atrial chamber – also referred to as cor triatriatum dexter – is even rarer to an extent that there is no reported incidence and only few hundred cases have been reported so far. A search through pubMed library revealed only 90 publications on humans, either under the term “dexter” or “dextrum”. We would like to report a new association of bilateral divided atrial chambers and pulmonary vein stenosis, with a review of the literature.
Retrospective Digitisation of Legal Sources in Germany
Authors: Vogel Ivo , Schrecklinger Elisabeth 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article, written by Ivo Vogel and Elisabeth Schrecklinger, deals with the efforts of German libraries to digitise historical legal sources and make them publicly available. Although the main focus is on two selected libraries, a general overview is included. Commercial products are not considered since their contents are likely to become increasingly less relevant due to German law libraries' own initiatives. More attention is paid to problems that have been identified during the implementation of digitisation projects such as the recording of full texts is highlighted. The retrieval of digitised legal materials and, eventually, the digitisation of historical legal gazettes or parliamentary literature is also discussed. This contribution focuses exclusively on the retrospective digitisation of historical legal materials.
Public Access to Primary Legal Information in China: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Zhang Xiaomeng 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDespite a lack of a national legislation that mandates open government information in the People's Republic of China, each major government branch has taken proactive efforts to make primary legal information issued within their power available to the public. A close examination of Chinese official legal information portals on the national level reveal issues such as a lack of uniformity and a lack of access to authenticated primary legal information. This article, by Xiaomeng Zhang1, proposes a solution that would not only offer more consistent guidelines for the government but would empower the public to assert their right to primary legal information more powerfully and effectively.