bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reformulating partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to maximise health gains in India: is it feasible and will it meet consumer demand?
Authors: Downs Shauna M , Gupta Vidhu , Ghosh-Jerath Suparna , Lock Karen , Thow Anne Marie , Singh Archna 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
The consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) high in trans fat is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases. In response to high intakes of PHVOs, the Indian government has proposed regulation to set limits on the amount of trans fat permissible in PHVOs. Global recommendations are to replace PHVOs with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in order to optimise health benefits; however, little is known about the practicalities of implementation in low-income settings. The aim of this study was to examine the technical and economic feasibility of reducing trans fat in PHVOs and reformulating it using healthier fats.

Methods
Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with manufacturers and technical experts of PHVOs in India. Data were open-coded and organised according to key themes.

Results
Interviewees indicated that reformulating PHVOs was both economically and technically feasible provided that trans fat regulation takes account of the food technology challenges associated with product reformulation. However, there will be challenges in maintaining the physical properties that consumers prefer while reducing the trans fat in PHVOs. The availability of input oils was not seen to be a problem because of the low cost and high availability of imported palm oil, which was the input oil of choice for industry. Most interviewees were not concerned about the potential increase in saturated fat associated with increased use of palm oil and were not planning to use PUFAs in product reformulation. Interviewees indicated that many smaller manufacturers would not have sufficient capacity to reformulate products to reduce trans fat.

Conclusions
Reformulating PHVOs to reduce trans fat in India is feasible; however, a collision course exists where the public health goal to replace PHVOs with PUFA are opposed to the goals of industry to produce a cheap alternative product that meets consumer preferences. Ensuring that product reformulation is done in a way that maximises health benefits will require shifts in knowledge and subsequent demand of products, decreased reliance on palm oil, investment in research and development and increased capacity for smaller manufacturers.
The retinoic acid receptor-α modulators ATRA and Ro415253 reciprocally regulate human IL-5+ Th2 cell proliferation and cytokine expression
Authors: Wansley Daniel L , Yin Yuzhi , Prussin Calman 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundTh2 cytokine responses are enhanced by all trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the bioavailable form of vitamin A. Retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) is the high affinity receptor for ATRA that mediates these pro-Th2 effects. We have previously characterized two major human Th2 subpopulations: IL-5- Th2 (IL-5-, IL-4+, IL-13+) and IL-5+ Th2 cells (IL-5+, IL-4+, IL-13+), which represent less and more highly differentiated Th2 cells, respectively. We hypothesized that the pro-Th2 effects of ATRA may differentially affect these Th2 subpopulations.MethodsSpecific cytokine producing Th2 subpopulations were identified using intracellular cytokine staining. Proliferation was measured using the Cell Trace Violet proliferation tracking dye. Apoptotic cells were identified using either annexin-V or active caspase 3 staining. Th2 gene expression was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsATRA increased the output of Th2 cells from house dust mite allergen (HDM) specific short-term cell lines, and this enhancement was limited to the IL-5+ Th2 subpopulation. Conversely, the RARα antagonist Ro415253 decreased Th2 cell output from these cultures, and this effect was again limited to the IL-5+ Th2 subpopulation. ATRA and Ro415253 respectively augmented and inhibited Th2 cell proliferation, and this affect was more pronounced for the IL-5+ vs. IL-5- Th2 subpopulation. ATRA and Ro415253 respectively augmented and inhibited the expression of IL5 in a significant manner, which was not found for IL4 or IL13.ConclusionsWe report that the reciprocal regulation of Th2 cytokine expression and proliferation by RARα modulators are largely limited to modulation of IL-5 gene expression and to proliferation of the highly differentiated IL-5+ Th2 subpopulation. These results suggest that RARα antagonism is a potential means to therapeutically target allergic inflammation.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier:NCT01212016
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Mir-655 up-regulation suppresses cell invasion by targeting pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Zang Wenqiao , Du Yuwen , Ma Yunyun , Li Min , Li Ping , Chen Xudong , Wang Tao , Dong Ziming , Zhao Guoqiang 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes under different conditions and thus can play a significant role in cancer development. We investigated miR-655 expression in a cohort of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to assess the impact of this miRNA on ESCC cell invasion and metastasis.

Methods
A qRT-PCR assay was used to quantify miR-655 expression levels in 34 paired ESCC samples and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to evaluate the effects of miR-655 expression on the invasiveness of ESCC cells. Luciferase reporter and western blot assays were used to determine whether the mRNA encoding pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) is a major target of miR-655.

Results
The expression level of miR-655 in ESCC tissues was found to be lower than in adjacent non-tumor tissues (P < 0.05). This relatively low expression level was significantly associated with the occurrence of lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). Migration rates were significantly lower for two ESCC-derived cell lines (EC9706 and KYSE150) transfected with miR-429 mimics (P < 0.05). Subsequent western blot and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-655 could bind to putative binding sites within the PTTG1 mRNA 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) and thus reduce the expression.

Conclusions
miR-655 is expressed at low levels in primary ESCC tissues, and up-regulation of miR-655 inhibits ESCC cell invasiveness by targeting PTTG1. Our findings suggest that PTTG1 may act as a major target of miR-655. This study improves our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ESCC pathogenesis and may promote the development of novel targeted therapies.
HIBCH mutations can cause Leigh-like disease with combined deficiency of multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes and pyruvate dehydrogenase
Authors: Ferdinandusse Sacha , Waterham Hans R , Heales Simon JR , Brown Garry K , Hargreaves Iain P , Taanman Jan-Willem , Gunny Roxana , Abulhoul Lara , Wanders Ronald JA , Clayton Peter T , Leonard James V , Rahman Shamima 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundDeficiency of 3-hydroxy-isobutyryl-CoA hydrolase (HIBCH) caused byHIBCHmutations is a rare cerebral organic aciduria caused by disturbance of valine catabolism. Multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) enzyme deficiencies can arise from a number of mechanisms, including defective maintenance or expression of mitochondrial DNA. Impaired biosynthesis of iron-sulphur clusters and lipoic acid can lead to pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) deficiency in addition to multiple RC deficiencies, known as the multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome.MethodsTwo brothers born to distantly related Pakistani parents presenting in early infancy with a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, associated with basal ganglia changes on brain magnetic resonance imaging, were investigated for suspected Leigh-like mitochondrial disease. The index case had deficiencies of multiple RC enzymes and PDHc in skeletal muscle and fibroblasts respectively, but these were normal in his younger brother. The observation of persistently elevated hydroxy-C4-carnitine levels in the younger brother led to suspicion of HIBCH deficiency, which was investigated by biochemical assay in cultured skin fibroblasts and molecular genetic analysis.ResultsSpecific spectrophotometric enzyme assay revealed HIBCH activity to be below detectable limits in cultured skin fibroblasts from both brothers. Direct Sanger sequence analysis demonstrated a novel homozygous pathogenic missense mutation c.950G <A; p.Gly317Glu in theHIBCHgene, which segregated with infantile-onset neurodegeneration within the family.ConclusionsHIBCH deficiency, a disorder of valine catabolism, is a novel cause of the multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with multiple RC deficiencies and/or pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Efficient transmission of Cassava brown streak disease viral pathogens by chip bud grafting
Authors: Wagaba Henry , Beyene Getu , Trembley Cynthia , Alicai Titus , Fauquet Claude M , Taylor Nigel J 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Techniques to study plant viral diseases under controlled growth conditions are required to fully understand their biology and investigate host resistance. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) presents a major threat to cassava production in East Africa. No infectious clones of the causal viruses, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) or Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) are available, and mechanical transmission to cassava is not effective. An improved method for transmission of the viruses, both singly and as co-infections has been developed using bud grafts.

Findings
Axillary buds from CBSD symptomatic plants infected with virulent isolates of CBSV and UCBSV were excised and grafted onto 6–8 week old greenhouse-grown, disease-free cassava plants of cultivars Ebwanateraka, TME204 and 60444. Plants were assessed visually for development of CBSD symptoms and by RT-PCR for presence of the viruses in leaf and storage root tissues. Across replicated experiments, 70-100% of plants inoculated with CBSV developed CBSD leaf and stem symptoms 2–6 weeks after bud grafting. Infected plants showed typical, severe necrotic lesions in storage roots at harvest 12–14 weeks after graft inoculation. Sequential grafting of buds from plants infected with UCBSV followed 10–14 days later by buds carrying CBSV, onto the same test plant, resulted in 100% of the rootstocks becoming co-infected with both pathogens. This dual transmission rate was greater than that achieved by simultaneous grafting with UCBSV and CBSV (67%), or when grafting first with CBSV followed by UCBSV (17%).

Conclusions
The bud grafting method described presents an improved tool for screening cassava germplasm for resistance to CBSD causal viruses, and for studying pathogenicity of this important disease. Bud grafting provides new opportunities compared to previously reported top and side grafting systems. Test plants can be inoculated as young, uniform plants of a size easily handled in a small greenhouse or large growth chamber and can be inoculated in a controlled manner with CBSV and UCBSV, either singly or together. Disease symptoms develop rapidly, allowing better studies of interactions between these viral pathogens, their movement within shoot and root systems, and how they induce their destructive disease symptoms.
Blunt abdominal trauma to a pregnant woman resulting in a child with hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy and permanent eye damage
Authors: Taha Elmuntasir , Nasralla Khalid , Khalid AbdulRahman , Ali AbdelAziem A 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
In today's life trauma is a common and important complication of pregnancy and remains one of the major contributors to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Case presentation
The authors reported a case of 4 years old child with hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy and permanent left eye damage due to antenatal trauma. He was an off spring to a 33 years old woman gravida 6 para 5 from western Sudan, who sustained a domestic blunt abdominal trauma during her routine daily activities. The abdominal trauma occurred during the third trimester at 36th week gestation of the pregnancy when the mother hit herself by the woody part of an axe non intentionally.

Conclusions
The findings from this case conclude that relatively minor trauma can have significant adverse effects on the fetus and can be devastating.
Coconut shells as filling material for anaerobic filters
Authors: Cruz Luana Mattos de Oliveira , Stefanutti Ronaldo , Coraucci Filho Bruno , Tonetti Adriano Luiz 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
In rural areas of developing countries, there is a lack of sanitation services and the installation of such infrastructure is hampered by the high investment costs for initial implementation and by the limited availability of qualified personnel. An alternative to traditional sanitation services include an anaerobic filter, but the high cost of appropriate filling material can be an obstacle to its wide-spread implementation. To decrease this construction cost, the objective of this work was to study the use of coconut shells as filling material for anaerobic filters. Anaerobic filters were built and filled with the studied material and operated with up flow and hydraulic retention time of 9 hours. The reactors provided a removal of 79 ± 16% in BOD terms, indicating that the coconut shell filling had efficiency consistent with the literature data. In addition, the husks were found to retain their tensile strength following use in the reactors. Coconut husks have more empty bed volume than other low cost materials, such as crushed stone, nearing properties of traditional materials. The results of this study indicate that coconut husks may prove to be a low cost alternative to traditional fillers for anaerobic treatment in rural communities.
On elongations of QTAG-modules
Authors: Mehdi Alveera , Sikander Fahad , R K Naji Sabah A 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Mehdi studied (ω+k)-projective QTAG-modules with the help of their submodules contained in H

k
(M) (the submodule generated by the elements of exponents at most k). These modules contain nice submodules N contained in H

k
(M) such that M/N is a direct sum of uniserial modules. Here, we investigate the class
"Equation missing" of QTAG-modules, containing nice submodules N⊆H

k
(M) such that M/N is totally projective. We also study strong ω-elongation of totally projective QTAG-modules by (ω+k)-projective QTAG-modules.
FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L)/CD135 axis in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ramos Maria I , Perez Samuel Garcia , Aarrass Saida , Helder Boy , Broekstra Pleun , Gerlag Daan M , Reedquist Kris A , Tak Paul Peter , Lebre Maria C 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L)/CD135 axis plays a fundamental role in proliferation and differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs). As DCs play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) immunopathology we studied in detail the Flt3L/CD135 axis in RA patients.

Methods
The levels of Flt3L in (paired) serum and synovial fluid (SF) were quantified by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of Flt3L and CD135 in paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) was quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The expression of Flt3L, CD135 and TNF-Converting Enzyme (TACE) in synovial tissues (STs) and in vitro polarized macrophages and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) was assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). CD135 ST expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and TACE ST expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. Flt3L serum levels were assessed in RA patients treated with oral prednisolone or adalimumab.

Results
Flt3L levels in RA serum, SF and ST were significantly elevated compared to gout patients and healthy individuals (HI). RA SF monocytes, natural killer cells and DCs expressed high levels of Flt3L and CD135 compared to HI. RA ST CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages, CD55+ fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), CD31+ endothelial cells or infiltrating monocytes and CD19+ B cells co-expressed TACE. IFN-γ-differentiated macrophages expressed higher levels of Flt3L compared to other polarized macrophages. Importantly, Flt3L serum levels were reduced by effective therapy.

Conclusions
The Flt3L/CD135 axis is active in RA patients and is responsive to both prednisolone and adalimumab treatment. Conceivably, this ligand receptor pair represents a novel therapeutic target.
Laboratory study of spectral induced polarization responses of magnetite — Fe2+ redox reactions in porous media
Authors: Hubbard Christopher G. , West L. Jared , Rodriguez-Blanco Juan Diego , Shaw Samuel 
Published: December 2013

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) phase anomalies in field surveys at contaminated sites have previously been shown to correlate with the occurrence of chemically reducing conditions and/or semiconductive minerals, but the reasons for this are not fully understood. We report a systematic laboratory investigation of the role of the semiconductive mineral magnetite and its interaction with redox-active versus redox-inactive ions in producing such phase anomalies. The SIP responses of quartz sand with 5% magnetite in solutions containing redox-inactive [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] versus redox-active [Formula: see text] were measured across the pH ranges corresponding to adsorption of these metals to magnetite. With redox inactive ions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], SIP phase response showed no changes across the pH range 4–10, corresponding to their adsorption, showing [Formula: see text] anomalies peaking at [Formula: see text]–74 Hz. These large phase anomalies are probably caused by polarization of the magnetite-solution interfaces. With the redox-active ion [Formula: see text], frequency of peak phase response decreased progressively from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] as effluent pH increased from four to seven, corresponding to progressive adsorption of [Formula: see text] to the magnetite surface. The latter frequency (3 Hz) corresponds approximately with those of phase anomalies detected in field surveys reported elsewhere. We conclude that pH sensitivity arises from redox reactions between [Formula: see text] and magnetite surfaces, with transfer of electrical charge through the bulk mineral, as reported in other laboratory investigations. Our results confirm that SIP measurements are sensitive to redox reactions involving charge transfers between adsorbed ions and semiconductive minerals. Phase anomalies seen in field surveys of groundwater contamination and biostimulation may therefore be indicative of iron-reducing conditions, when semiconductive iron minerals such as magnetite are present.
Evaluating the feasibility of complex interventions in mental
health services: standardised measure and reporting
guidelines
Authors: Bird Victoria J. , Boutillier Clair Le , Leamy Mary , Williams Julie , Bradstreet Simon , Slade Mike 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe feasibility of implementation is insufficiently considered in
clinical guideline development, leading to human and financial resource
wastage.AimsTo develop (a) an empirically based standardised measure of the
feasibility of complex interventions for use within mental health
services and (b) reporting guidelines to facilitate feasibility
assessment.MethodA focused narrative review of studies assessing implementation blocks and
enablers was conducted with thematic analysis and vote counting used to
determine candidate items for the measure. Twenty purposively sampled
studies (15 trial reports, 5 protocols) were included in the psychometric
evaluation, spanning different interventions types. Cohen's kappa (κ) was
calculated for interrater reliability and test–retest reliability.ResultsIn total, 95 influences on implementation were identified from 299
references. The final measure – Structured Assessment of FEasibility
(SAFE) – comprises 16 items rated on a Likert scale. There was excellent
interrater (κ = 0.84, 95% CI 0.79–0.89) and test–retest reliability (κ =
0.89, 95% CI 0.85–0.93). Cost information and training time were the two
influences least likely to be reported in intervention papers. The SAFE
reporting guidelines include 16 items organised into three categories
(intervention, resource consequences, evaluation).ConclusionsA novel approach to evaluating interventions, SAFE, supplements efficacy
and health economic evidence. The SAFE reporting guidelines will allow
feasibility of an intervention to be systematically assessed.
Testing the constant-volume hypothesis by magnetic resonance imaging of the mussel heart in theMytilus galloprovincialis
Authors: Seo Eriko , Ohishi Kazue , Maruyama Tadashi , Imaizumi-Ohashi Yoshie , Murakami Masataka , Seo Yoshiteru 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe constant-volume (CV) hypothesis was tested using the Mytilus galloprovincialis heart under two conditions. The volume of the ventricle, auricles and pericardium, and the flow in the heart and adjacent vessels were measured by magnetic resonance imaging. In synthetic sea water at 23°C (immersed condition), the end-diastolic (EDV), end-systolic (ESV) and stroke (SV) volumes were 50%, 21% and 29% of the heart volume, respectively, and the auricle volume (VA) was maximized at the end-systole. Assuming a constant volume in the heart, venous return to the auricles (IV) was constant, and out-flow from the pericardium to the kidney (IPK) was 2/3 of SV. During aerial exposure (emersed condition), EDV, ESV and SV decreased to 33%, 22% and 11%, respectively. The VA was maximized at the end-diastole and associated with the decrease of the systolic IV to 1/2 of the diastolic IV, while the IPK remained at 80% of the immersed condition. Based on these results, in addition to two postulates of the CV hypothesis: 1) the total volume of the heart is always the same, and 2) ventricle contraction causes a decrease in the pressure in the pericardium, we modified two postulate: 3) the low pericardial pressure maintains venous return from the anterior oblique vein to the auricle, and 4) the pressure difference between the auricle and the pericardium drives haemolymph filtration through the auricle walls. We also added a new postulate: 5) dilatation of the ventricle is associated with the haemolymph output to the kidney via the renopericardial canals.