bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A community‐based continuum of care model for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in rural Ghana
Authors: Kapungu Chisina T. , Mensah‐Homiah Joseph , Akosah Eric , Asare Gloria , Carnahan Leslie , Frimpong Mavis A. , Mensah‐Bonsu Paulina , Ohemeng‐Dapaah Seth , Owusu‐Ansah Lydia , Geller Stacie E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo report on Phase 1 of an operations research study designed to reduce postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)‐related morbidity and mortality in rural Ghana.MethodsPhase 1 of the study—which included a needs assessment, community sensitization, implementation of blood collection drapes, training of service providers, and baseline data collection—comprised preliminary work to prepare for misoprostol distribution in Phase 2. Seventy‐four primary healthcare providers were trained on safe‐motherhood practices, use of blood collection drapes, and data collection. Baseline data were collected from 275 women regarding home deliveries, who attended the deliveries, incidence of PPH, and use of blood collection drapes.ResultsBlood collection drapes were used at 67.6% of deliveries, increasing to 88.5% over the final 6 months of Phase 1. Community health extension workers (CHEWs) were present at 57.1% of all deliveries but attendance increased to 86.9% during the last 6 months of Phase 1. Overall, 96.0% of deliveries resulted in healthy outcomes for the mother; 4.0% of births had complications.ConclusionThe preliminary work conducted in Phase 1 of the study was crucial in guiding misoprostol distribution in Phase 2. However, challenges existed, including inadequate community sensitization, low home‐birth attendance by CHEWs, and data collection problems.
Viscous stability of quasi-periodic tori
Authors: LIANG ZHENGUO , YAN JUN , YI YINGFEI 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper is devoted to the study of$P$-regularity of viscosity solutions$u(x,P)$,$P\in {\Bbb R}^n$, of a smooth Tonelli Lagrangian$L:T {\Bbb T}^n \rightarrow {\Bbb R}$characterized by the cell equation$H(x,P+D_xu(x,P))=\overline {H}(P)$, where$H: T^* {\Bbb T}^n\rightarrow {\Bbb R}$denotes the Hamiltonian associated with$L$and$\overline {H}$is the effective Hamiltonian. We show that if$P_0$corresponds to a quasi-periodic invariant torus with a non-resonant frequency, then$D_xu(x,P)$is uniformly Hölder continuous in$P$at$P_0$with Hölder exponent arbitrarily close to$1$, and if both$H$and the torus are real analytic and the frequency vector of the torus is Diophantine, then$D_xu(x,P)$is uniformly Lipschitz continuous in$P$at$P_0$, i.e., there is a constant$C\gt 0$such that$\|D_xu(\cdot ,P)-D_xu(\cdot ,P_0)\|_{\infty }\le C\|P-P_0\|$for$\|P-P_0\|\ll 1$. Similar P-regularity of the Peierls barriers associated with$L(x,v)- \langle P,v \rangle $is also obtained.
Effects of oral Bt-maize (MON810) exposure on growth and health parameters in normal and sensitised Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Gu Jinni , Krogdahl Åshild , Sissener Nini H. , Kortner Trond M. , Gelencser Eva , Hemre Gro-Ingunn , Bakke Anne Marie 
Published: November 2012

Responses to GM maize Bt-maize, MON810) expressing Cry1Ab protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in diets for both normal and immune-sensitised (with soyabean meal (SBM)-induced enteropathy) post-smolt Atlantic salmon were investigated following 33 and 97 d of exposure. Triplicate tanks of salmon were fed one of four diets, all containing 20 % whole-kernel meal maize, either Bt-maize or its near-isogenic maternal line, without or with 15 % extracted SBM inclusion. The fish fed Bt-maize utilised the feed less efficiently, as revealed by lower protein and mineral digestibilities and lower lipid and energy retention efficiencies. Higher intestinal weight, as well as increased interferon-γ and decreased sodium–glucose co-transporter mRNA expression, and a transient increase in T-helper cell presence, as measured by cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) protein in the distal intestine (DI), may partly explain the lower nutrient digestibilities and retentions. The Bt-maize seemed to potentiate oxidative cellular stress in the DI of immune-sensitised fish, as indicated by increases in superoxide dismutase and heat shock protein 70 mRNA expression. The data suggest that Cry1Ab protein or other antigens in Bt-maize have local immunogenic effects in salmon DI. No systemic immune responses could be detected, as indicated by haematology, differential leucocyte counts, plasma clinical chemistry, as well as absence of Cry1Ab-specific antibodies and Cry1Ab protein in plasma. The responses to Bt-maize observed in the present study differed from results from earlier studies in salmon and other animals fed the same event Bt-maize. Longer-term experiments and more in-depth studies on intestinal physiology and immune responses are needed to evaluate health implications.
Changes in food intake, metabolic parameters and insulin resistance are induced by an isoenergetic, medium-chain fatty acid diet and are associated with modifications in insulin signalling in isolated rat pancreatic islets
Authors: Marçal A. C. , Camporez J. P. G. , Lima-Salgado T. M. , Cintra D. E. , Akamine E. H. , Ribeiro L. M. , Almeida F. N. , Zanuto R. P. , Curi R. , Boldrini S. C. , Liberti E. A. , Fiamoncini J. , Hirabara S. M. , Deschamps F. C. , Carpinelli A. R. , Carvalho C. R. O. 
Published: November 2012

Long-chain fatty acids are capable of inducing alterations in the homoeostasis of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), but the effect of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) is poorly elucidated. In the present study, we fed a normoenergetic MCFA diet to male rats from the age of 1 month to the age of 4 months in order to analyse the effect of MCFA on body growth, insulin sensitivity and GSIS. The 45 % MCFA substitution of whole fatty acids in the normoenergetic diet impaired whole body growth and resulted in increased body adiposity and hyperinsulinaemia, and reduced insulin-mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. In addition, the isolated pancreatic islets from the MCFA-fed rats showed impaired GSIS and reduced protein kinase Bα (AKT1) protein expression and extracellular signal-related kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, which were accompanied by increased cellular death. Furthermore, there was a mildly increased cholinergic sensitivity to GSIS. We discuss these findings in further detail, and advocate that they might have a role in the mechanistic pathway leading to the compensatory hyperinsulinaemic status found in this animal model.
Taurine attenuates apoptosis in primary liver cells isolated from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Espe Marit , Holen Elisabeth 
Published: November 2012

One of the many functions of taurine is to protect cells against oxidation, by protecting mitochondrial integrity and respiration. Taurine metabolism has attracted much attention in fish nutrition due to the fact that as plant ingredients replace fishmeal, dietary taurine has declined. As the endogenous synthesis of taurine might be too low to protect cells against oxidative stress and apoptosis, the present study aimed to test whether taurine may protect liver cells from apoptosis. Liver cells isolated from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were grown in media supplemented with a physiological concentration of taurine (25 (se0·5) mm) or without any taurine supplementation (14 (se3) μm) for 3 d. To increase oxidation in the mitochondria and maximise any cellular response of taurine supplementation, 100 μm-CdCl2was added or not added to the cells at day 3. At day 4, cells were harvested and assessed for viability. As expected, the addition of CdCl2decreased cell viability without showing any interaction with taurine supplementation. Cells grown in the taurine-supplemented media had lower protein abundance of active caspase-3. In addition, the protein abundance of phosphorylated mitogen-activating phosphokinase (P-p63, P-p42/44 and P-p38) as well as cytochrome P450 were reduced when taurine was added to the media. Cells grown without taurine supplementation had a more condensed chromatin and more smeared DNA, also pointing to a higher apoptosis in these cells. In conclusion, taurine attenuated apoptosis in primary liver cells isolated from Atlantic salmon, and as such, taurine may be conditionally indispensable in Atlantic salmon.
Vitamin D status in North Greenland is influenced by diet and season: indicators of dermal 25-hydroxy vitamin D production north of the Arctic Circle
Authors: Andersen Stig , Jakobsen Anna , Laurberg Peter 
Published: November 2012

Vitamin D status, as measured by serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (s-25OHD), is important to human health. Dermal 25OHD production depends on UVB light that is influenced by latitude. We aimed to identify factors important to the production of s-25OHD in Arctic people and investigated subjects living in the town of Ilulissat and the settlement of Saqqaq in North Greenland (70°N) during the four seasons. Participants were enrolled with a balanced representation of non-Inuit and Inuit in Ilulissat and Inuit in Saqqaq, men and women, aged 30–39 and 40–49 years. Supplement use, hours spent outdoors and other lifestyle factors were determined by questionnaires. Scores of traditional Inuit food intake were computed from a FFQ at inclusion, and frequencies of intake were recorded at each visit. s-25OHD concentration was measured. There were sixty-four Inuit and thirty-three non-Inuit participants. Inuit food score < 40 % was found in 87, 64 and 48 % of non-Inuit, Inuit in Ilulissat and Inuit in Saqqaq participants, respectively (P= 0·009). Inuit diet associated positively with s-25OHD (P< 0·001). s-25OHD concentration was lower in non-Inuit than in Inuit participants (spring/summer/autumn/winter/average: 30·3 v. 36·8/43·2 v. 44·7/43·6 v. 48·6/32·8 v. 43·5/39·0 v. 44·6 nmol/l, P= 0·002/0·62/0·19/ < 0·001/0·011, respectively). s-25OHD levels differed with season (Inuit, P< 0·001; non-Inuit, P< 0·001) as did diet (Inuit, P< 0·001; non-Inuit, P< 0·001) and hours spent outdoors (Inuit, P< 0·001; non-Inuit, P= 0·012). s-25OHD level was influenced by diet (P< 0·001), season (P< 0·001), origin (P= 0·001), residence (P= 0·013) and sex (P= 0·026). We conclude that the season influenced vitamin D status in Arctic populations beyond diet, ethnicity and vitamin intake. This suggests dermal 25OHD production at a high latitude of 70°N.
Memory-enhancing effect of Mori Fructus via induction of nerve growth factor
Authors: Kim Hyo Geun , Oh Myung Sook 
Published: November 2012

Fruits rich in phytochemicals have been shown to improve memory by protecting or enhancing neuronal functions mediated by neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), in the hippocampus. Mori Fructus (Morus albaL., Moraceae), also called mulberry, is used as a food, dietary supplement and an anti-ageing agent in traditional Oriental medicine. It is also known to contain abundant flavonoid compounds and to exhibit various pharmacological effects. The present study was performed to evaluate the memory-enhancing effect of Mori Fructus extract (ME) in mice, with a focus on NGF regulation. ME (20, 100 and 500 mg/kg per d for 7 d, per os) dose-dependently promoted NGF release in the mouse hippocampus, leading to phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein. ME significantly increased pre- and post-synapse formation, acetylcholine synthesisation, neuronal cell differentiation, neurite outgrowth and neuronal cell proliferation in the mouse hippocampus. Furthermore, ME significantly increased latency time in the passive avoidance task (P< 0·001) and recognition time of novel objects in the object recognition test (P< 0·05), indicating improvements in learning and memory. Taken together, these data suggest that ME exhibits a memory-enhancing effect via up-regulation of NGF.
Curcumin attenuates lupus nephritis upon interaction with regulatory T cells in New Zealand Black/White mice
Authors: Lee Hyojung , Kim Hyunseong , Lee Gihyun , Chung Hwan-Suck , Bae Hyunsu 
Published: November 2012

Curcumin has been used in Asian traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin has antioxidant, anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on established lupus nephritis (LN) in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W) F1 female mice, in particular, its interaction with regulatory T (Treg) cells. Starting at 18 weeks of age, mice were fed a standard diet or a diet containing 1 % curcumin until the end of the study. The proteinuria level and the serum levels of IgG1, IgG2a and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) IgG antibodies were measured. Additionally, IgG immune complex deposition in the glomeruli and renal inflammation were compared between curcumin-treated mice and control mice. Curcumin decreased the proteinuria level and serum levels of IgG1, IgG2a and anti-dsDNA IgG antibodies in NZB/W F1 female mice. IgG immune complex deposition in the glomeruli was reduced in curcumin-treated mice. Furthermore, renal inflammation was also decreased after curcumin treatment. Interestingly, these therapeutic effects of curcumin disappeared after Tregdepletion by anti-CD25 antibody injection. Curcumin exerted a protective effect against LN in NZB/W F1 mice. We speculate that the protective effects of curcumin in LN may involve, at least in part, its interaction with Tregcells.
Growth-promoting effects of caseinomacropeptide from cow and goat milk on probiotics
Authors: Robitaille Gilles 
Published: November 2012

Caseinomacropeptide (CMP), a 7-kDa phosphoglycopolypeptide fragment released from κ-casein during milk renneting, is heterogeneous with respect to post-translational glycosylation. Several studies have reported that CMP has growth-promoting activity on lactic acid bacteria belonging to the generaBifidobacterium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glycosylation and sequence variations between bovine and caprine CMP on the growth of two probiotics:Lactobacillus rhamnosusRW-9595-M andBifidobacterium thermophilumRBL67. The growth-promoting activities of CMP (mixture of glycosylated (gCMP) and non-glycosylated (aCMP) fractions), aCMP and gCMP were measured in a basal minimal culture medium using turbidimetric microplate assay at 37 °C. Supplementation of the culture media at 2 mg/ml significantly improved maximum growth by 1·5 to 1·8 times depending on the strain, the additive (CMP, aCMP, gCMP), and the bovine or caprine origin (P < 0·05). CMP preparations also decreased the time needed to reach the inflexion point of the growth curve and increase the cell density at that time (P < 0·05). The effects of CMP preparations were dose dependent and significantly superior to the effect of bovine β-lactoglobulin added to the culture media. As gCMP and aCMP were as efficient as bovine and caprine CMP (P > 0·1), it was concluded that the presence of oligosaccharides linked to CMP was not essential for growth-promoting activity of CMP.
A new deep-water species ofEpimeria(Amphipoda: Gammaridea: Epimeriidae) from the continental slope of western Mexico
Authors: Winfield I. , Ortiz M. , Hendrickx M.E. 
Published: November 2012

A new species of deep waterEpimeriais described based on material collected in 1526–1586 m depth during the TALUD X expedition in the central Gulf of California, Mexico. It is the sixth species of this genus reported for the East Pacific.Epimeria morroneisp. nov. is morphologically similar toE. norfanziLörz, 2011 (New Zealand, 1268 m depth) andE. coraJ.L. Barnard, 1971 (off Oregon, USA, 2086 m depth).Epimeria morroneisp. nov., however, differs from these two species by a combination of several characters, including: vestigial eyes; multidentate mandibular lacinia mobilis; a distinct setae arrangement in palm and dactylus of gnathopods 1–2; the shape and relative size of coxae 1–5; and the shape of the telson.
Patronage and Performance: Factors in the Political Mobility of Provincial Leaders in Post-Deng China
Authors: Choi Eun Kyong 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper attempts to estimate the impact of both factional ties and economic performance on the promotion of provincial Party secretaries and governors by analysing a person–year dataset of their career mobility for inclusive years 1989 to 2009. We found that for provincial Party secretaries whose promotion meant rising to a top national position, both factional ties and good economic performance increased their chance for promotion. On the other hand, for provincial governors whose promotion meant rising to a ministry-level position, only economic performance mattered for their promotion. Among provincial Party secretaries, the extent to which performance affected the likelihood of promotion was not different between factional members and non-members. This suggests that even factional members needed to show good performance to enhance the likelihood of their promotion.
A Landesman–Lazer-type condition for asymptotically linear second-order equations with a singularity
Authors: Fonda Alessandro , Garrione Maurizio 
Published: November 2012

We consider the T-periodic problemwhere g: [0,T]×]0,+∞[→ℝ exhibits a singularity of a repulsive type at the origin, and an asymptotically linear behaviour at infinity. In particular, for large x, g(t, x) is controlled from both sides by two consecutive asymptotes of the T-periodic Fučik spectrum, with possible equality on one side. Using a suitable Landesman–Lazer-type condition, we prove the existence of a solution.
Pooling European all-cause mortality: methodology and findings for the seasons 2008/2009 to 2010/2011
Authors: NIELSEN J. , MAZICK A. , ANDREWS N. , DETSIS M. , FENECH T. M. , FLORES V. M. , FOULLIET A. , GERGONNE B. , GREEN H. K. , JUNKER C. , NUNES B. , O'DONNELL J. , OZA A. , PALDY A. , PEBODY R. , REYNOLDS A. , SIDEROGLOU T. , SNIJDERS B. E. , SIMON-SORIA F. , UPHOFF H. , VAN ASTEN L. , VIRTANEN M. J. , WUILLAUME F. , MØLBAK K. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYSeveral European countries have timely all-cause mortality monitoring. However, small changes in mortality may not give rise to signals at the national level. Pooling data across countries may overcome this, particularly if changes in mortality occur simultaneously. Additionally, pooling may increase the power of monitoring populations with small numbers of expected deaths, e.g. younger age groups or fertile women. Finally, pooled analyses may reveal patterns of diseases across Europe. We describe a pooled analysis of all-cause mortality across 16 European countries. Two approaches were explored. In the ‘summarized’ approach, data across countries were summarized and analysed as one overall country. In the ‘stratified’ approach, heterogeneities between countries were taken into account. Pooling using the ‘stratified’ approach was the most appropriate as it reflects variations in mortality. Excess mortality was observed in all winter seasons albeit slightly higher in 2008/09 than 2009/10 and 2010/11. In the 2008/09 season, excess mortality was mainly in elderly adults. In 2009/10, when pandemic influenza A(H1N1) dominated, excess mortality was mainly in children. The 2010/11 season reflected a similar pattern, although increased mortality in children came later. These patterns were less clear in analyses based on data from individual countries. We have demonstrated that with stratified pooling we can combine local mortality monitoring systems and enhance monitoring of mortality across Europe.
Primary idiopathic chylopericardium: a case report
Authors: Tan Jian X. , Fu Yalin , Chen Jie 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPrimary idiopathic chylopericardium is a rare disease, particularly in children. We report the case of a 5-year-old male child who presented with cough and dyspnoea. Bulging of the chest wall and distant heart sounds suggested the diagnosis of a pericardial effusion, which was confirmed on a chest computed tomography. Pericardial drainage confirmed the diagnosis of a chylopericardium. After the failure of continuous catheter drainage, surgical ligation of the thoracic duct and the creation of a pericardial window were performed under thoracoscopy.
Nutritional deficiency and arsenical manifestations: a perspective study in an arsenic-endemic region of West Bengal, India
Authors: Deb Debasree , Biswas Anirban , Ghose Aloke , Das Arabinda , Majumdar Kunal K , Guha Mazumder Debendra N 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether nutritional deficiency increases susceptibility to arsenic-related health effects.DesignAssessment of nutrition was based on a 24 h recall method of all dietary constituents.SettingEpidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in an arsenic-endemic area of West Bengal with groundwater arsenic contamination.SubjectsThe study was composed of two groups – Group 1 (cases,n108) exhibiting skin lesions and Group 2 (exposed controls,n100) not exhibiting skin lesions – age- and sex-matched and having similar arsenic exposure through drinking water and arsenic levels in urine and hair.ResultsBoth groups belonged to low socio-economic strata (Group 1 significantly poorer,P< 0·01) and had low BMI (prevalence of BMI < 18·5 kg/m2: in 38 % in Group 1 and 27 % in Group 2). Energy intake was below the Recommended Daily Allowance (set by the Indian Council of Medical Research) in males and females in both groups. Increased risk of arsenical skin lesions was found for those in the lowest quintile of protein intake (v. highest quintile: OR = 4·60, 95 % CI 1·36, 15·50 in males; OR = 5·62, 95 % CI 1·19, 34·57 in females). Significantly lower intakes of energy, protein, thiamin, niacin, Mg, Zn and choline were observed in both males and females of Group 1 compared with Group 2. Significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate, riboflavin, niacin and Cu were also observed in female cases with skin lesions compared with non-cases.ConclusionsDeficiencies of Zn, Mg and Cu, in addition to protein, B vitamins and choline, are found to be associated with arsenical skin lesions in West Bengal.
Barriers to avoiding fast-food consumption in an environment supportive of unhealthy eating
Authors: Thornton Lukar E , Jeffery Robert W , Crawford David A 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate factors (ability, motivation and the environment) that act as barriers to limiting fast-food consumption in women who live in an environment that is supportive of poor eating habits.DesignCross-sectional study using self-reports of individual-level data and objectively measured environmental data. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with frequency of fast-food consumption.SettingSocio-economically disadvantaged areas in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.SubjectsWomen (n932) from thirty-two socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods living within 3 km of six or more fast-food restaurants. Women were randomly sampled in 2007–2008 as part of baseline data collection for the Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality (READI) study.ResultsConsuming low amounts of fast food was less likely in women with lower perceived ability to shop for and cook healthy foods, lower frequency of family dining, lower family support for healthy eating, more women acquaintances who eat fast food regularly and who lived further from the nearest supermarket. When modelled with the other significant factors, a lower perceived shopping ability, mid levels of family support and living further from the nearest supermarket remained significant. Among those who did not perceive fruits and vegetables to be of high quality, less frequent fast-food consumption was further reduced for those with the lowest confidence in their shopping ability.ConclusionsInterventions designed to improve women's ability and opportunities to shop for healthy foods may be of value in making those who live in high-risk environments better able to eat healthily.