bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women's empowerment and child nutritional status in South Asia: a synthesis of the literature
Authors: Cunningham Kenda , Ruel Marie , Ferguson Elaine , Uauy Ricardo 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWomen's disempowerment is hypothesised to contribute to high rates of undernutrition among South Asian children. However, evidence for this relationship has not been systematically reviewed. This review of empirical studies aims to: (1) synthesise the evidence linking women's empowerment and child nutritional status in South Asia and (2) suggest directions for future research. We systematically searched Global Health, Embase (classic and Ovid), MEDLINE, Campbell Collaboration, Popline, Eldis, Web of Science, EconLit and Scopus. We generated 1661 studies for abstract and title screening. We full‐text screened 44 of these, plus 10 additional studies the authors were aware of. Only 12 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We included English materials published between 1990 and 2012 that examined the relationship(s) of at least one women's empowerment domain and nutritional status among South Asian children. Data were extracted and synthesised within three domains of empowerment: control of resources and autonomy, workload and time, and social support. The results showed women's empowerment to be generally associated with child anthropometry, but the findings are mixed. Inter‐study differences in population characteristics, settings or methods/conceptualisations of women's empowerment, and the specific domains studied, likely contributed to these inconsistencies. This review also highlights that different women's empowerment domains may relate differently to child nutritional status. Future research should aim to harmonise definitions of women's empowerment, which key domains it should include, and how it is measured. Rigorous evaluation work is also needed to establish which policies and programmes facilitate women's empowerment and in turn, foster child nutritional well‐being.
Babies, soft drinks and snacks: a concern in low‐ and middle‐income countries?
Authors: Huffman Sandra L. , Piwoz Ellen G. , Vosti Stephen A. , Dewey Kathryn G. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractUndernutrition in infants and young children is a global health priority while overweight is an emerging issue. Small‐scale studies in low‐ and middle‐income countries have demonstrated consumption of sugary and savoury snack foods and soft drinks by young children. We assessed the proportion of children 6–23 months of age consuming sugary snack foods in 18 countries in Asia and Africa using data from selected Demographic and Health Surveys and household expenditures on soft drinks and biscuits using data from four Living Standards Measurement Studies (LSMS). Consumption of sugary snack foods increased with the child's age and household wealth, and was generally higher in urban vs. rural areas. In one‐third of countries, >20% of infants 6–8 months consumed sugary snacks. Up to 75% of Asian children and 46% of African children consumed these foods in the second year of life. The proportion of children consuming sugary snack foods was generally higher than the proportion consuming fortified infant cereals, eggs or fruit. Household per capita daily expenditures on soft drinks ranged from $0.03 to $0.11 in three countries for which LSMS data were available, and from $0.01 to $0.04 on biscuits in two LSMS. Future surveys should include quantitative data on the purchase and consumption of snack foods by infants and young children, using consistent definitions and methods for identifying and categorising snack foods across surveys. Researchers should assess associations between snack food consumption and stunting and overweight, and characterise household, maternal and child characteristics associated with snack food consumption.
Oregonin from the Bark of Alnus japonica Restrained Ischemia–Reperfusion‐Induced Mesentery Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting NADPH Oxidase Activation
Authors: Tung Nguyen Huu , Sun Kai , Fan Jing‐Yu , Shoyama Yukihiro , Han Jing‐Yan 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveNADPH oxidase activation results in ROS overproduction that is the pathological basis of I/R injury. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of ORG on I/R‐induced ROS production in rat mesenteric microvasculature and underlying mechanisms.MethodsMesenteric I/R in Male Wistar rats (200~250 g) was induced by ligation of the mesenteric artery and vein for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 60 minutes by releasing of the occlusion. The rats were infused intravenously with or without ORG (5 mg/kg per hour) 10 minutes before ischemia (pretreatment) or 20 minutes after reperfusion (posttreatment). The DHR fluorescence intensity on, the leukocytes adherent to, and mast cell degranulation out of mesenteric venules were determined using an intravital microscope. NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox membrane translocation in intestine tissues was detected by Western blotting.ResultsPre‐ or posttreatment with ORG inhibited I/R‐induced DHR fluorescence intensity on the venular walls and leukocytes adhesion, ORG pretreatment inhibited mast cell degranulation as well. Furthermore, the translocation of p47phox from cytosol to membrane was suppressed markedly by ORG after I/R.ConclusionsThe results suggested that ORG restrained I/R‐induced ROS production, which might be correlated with its inhibitive effect on NADPH activation.
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy with marked clinical fluctuations mimicking myasthenia gravis: A case report
Authors: Fujikura Mai , Hisahara Shin , Yamamoto Daisuke , Suzuki Syuuichirou , Tsuda Emiko , Saito Masaki , Kawamata Jun , Imai Tomihiro , Shimohama Shun 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is typically characterized by late‐onset, slowly progressive bilateral ptosis and dysphagia. We report a 64‐year‐old Japanese man presenting with ptosis, diplopia and swallowing difficulty. He had consistently complained of significant diurnal fluctuations of clinical symptoms since onset at the age of 53 years. He was diagnosed with seronegative myasthenia gravis, and was treated with an acetylcholinestrase inhibitor for 10 years. On admission, a muscle biopsy was carried out, and the result was mild non‐specific myogenic change. However, gene analysis showed heterogeneous polyalanine expansion in the coding region of poly(A) binding protein nuclear. This case indicates that fluctuating motor signs could accompany muscle weakness in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. Diagnosis might be delayed because of the atypical clinical features and slow symptom progression.
Molecular pathogenicity of Streptococcus anginosus
Authors: Asam D. , Spellerberg B. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryStreptococcus anginosus and the closely related species Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus intermedius, are primarily commensals of the mucosa. The true pathogenic potential of this group has been under‐recognized for a long time because of difficulties in correct species identification as well as the commensal nature of these species. In recent years, streptococci of the S. anginosus group have been increasingly found as relevant microbial pathogens in abscesses and blood cultures and they play a pathogenic role in cystic fibrosis. Several international studies have shown a surprisingly high frequency of infections caused by the S. anginosus group. Recent studies and a genome‐wide comparative analysis suggested the presence of multiple putative virulence factors that are well‐known from other streptococcal species. However, very little is known about the molecular basis of pathogenicity in these bacteria. This review summarizes our current knowledge of pathogenicity factors and their regulation in S. anginosus.
Differential profiles of salivary proteins with affinity to Streptococcus mutans lipoteichoic acid in caries‐free and caries‐positive human subjects
Authors: Hong S.W. , Seo D.‐G. , Baik J.E. , Cho K. , Yun C.‐H. , Han S.H. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryStreptococcus mutans is a representative oral pathogen that causes dental caries and pulpal inflammation. Its lipoteichoic acid (Sm.LTA) is known to be an important cell‐wall virulence factor involved in bacterial adhesion and induction of inflammation. Since Sm.LTA‐binding proteins (Sm.LTA‐BPs) might play an important role in pathogenesis and host immunity, we identified the Sm.LTA‐BPs in the saliva of caries‐free and caries‐positive human subjects using Sm.LTA‐conjugated beads and LTQ‐Orbitrap hybrid Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Sm.LTA was conjugated to N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl‐Sepharose® 4 Fast Flow beads (Sm.LTA‐beads). Sm.LTA retained its biological properties during conjugation, as determined by the expression of nitric oxide and interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 10 in a murine macrophage cell line and activation of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) in CHO/CD14/TLR2 cells. Sm.LTA‐BPs were isolated from pooled saliva prepared from 10 caries‐free or caries‐positive human subjects each, electrophoresed to see their differential expression in each group, and further identified by high‐resolution mass spectrometry. A total of 8 and 12 Sm.LTA‐BPs were identified with statistical significance in the pooled saliva from the caries‐free and caries‐positive human subjects, respectively. Unique Sm.LTA‐BPs found in caries‐free saliva included histone H4, profilin‐1 and neutrophil defensin‐1, and those in caries‐positive saliva included cystatin‐C, cystatin‐SN, cystatin‐S, cystatin‐D, lysozyme C, calmodulin‐like protein 3 and β‐actin. The Sm.LTA‐BPs found in both groups were hemoglobin subunits α and β, prolactin‐inducible protein, protein S100‐A9, and SPLUNC2. Collectively, we identified Sm.LTA‐BPs in the saliva of caries‐free and caries‐positive subjects, which exhibit differential protein profiles.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in pediatric neurosurgery
Authors: Busso Veronica O. , McAuliffe John J. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in pediatric neurosurgery is not new; however, its application to a wider range of procedures is a relatively new development. The purpose of this article is to review the physiology underlying the commonly employed IONM modalities and to describe their application to a subset of pediatric neurosurgical procedures.
Ultrasound‐guided rectus sheath block or wound infiltration in children: a randomized blinded study of analgesia and bupivacaine absorption
Authors: Flack Sean H. , Martin Lizabeth D. , Walker Benjamin J. , Bosenberg Adrian T. , Helmers Laurilyn D. , Goldin Adam B. , Haberkern Charles M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundRectus sheath block can provide analgesia following umbilical hernia repair. However, conflicting reports on its analgesic effectiveness exist. No study has investigated plasma local anesthetic concentration following ultrasound‐guided rectus sheath block (USGRSB) in children.ObjectivesCompare the effectiveness and bupivacaine absorption following USGRSB or wound infiltration (WI) for umbilical hernia repair in children.MethodsA randomized blinded study comparing WI with USGRSB in 40 children undergoing umbilical hernia repair was performed. Group WI (n = 20) received wound infiltration 1 mg·kg−1 0.25% bupivacaine. Group RS (n = 20) received USGRSB 0.5 mg·kg−1 0.25% bupivacaine per side in the posterior rectus sheath compartment. Pain scores and rescue analgesia were recorded. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min.ResultsPatients in the WI group had a twofold increased risk of requiring morphine (hazard ratio 2.06, 95% CI 1.01, 4.20, P = 0.05). When required, median time to first morphine dose was longer in the USGRSB group (65.5 min vs 47.5 min, P = 0.049). Peak plasma bupivacaine concentration was higher following USGRSB than WI (median: 631.9 ng·ml−1 IQR: 553.9–784.1 vs 389.7 ng·ml−1 IQR: 250.5–502.7, P = 0.002). Tmax was longer in the USGRSB group (median 45 min IQR: 30–60 vs 20 min IQR: 20–45, P = 0.006).ConclusionsUSGRSB provides more effective analgesia than WI for umbilical hernia repair. USGRSB with 1 mg·kg−1 0.25% bupivacaine is associated with safe plasma bupivacaine concentration that peaks higher and later than WI. Caution against using larger volumes of higher concentration local anesthetic for USGRSB is advised.
Facial, verbal, and symbolic stimuli differently affect the right hemisphere preponderance of stimulus‐preceding negativity
Authors: Ohgami Yoshimi , Kotani Yasunori , Arai Jun‐Ichirou , Kiryu Shigeru , Inoue Yusuke 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe present study investigated whether the right hemisphere preponderance of stimulus‐preceding negativity (SPN) was affected by different categories of visual feedback stimulus. A time estimation task was performed with facial, verbal, symbolic, and no‐feedback conditions. A principal component analysis identified an early component ofSPNin addition to a late component that was morphologically similar to the originalSPN. Motivational scores in the verbal and facial conditions were higher than that in the symbolic condition. Significant right hemisphere preponderance of the lateSPNwas observed in the symbolic condition but not in the verbal condition, whereas right hemisphere preponderance of the earlySPNwas observed in the facial condition. The right hemisphere preponderance was influenced by the category of visual feedback stimulus through stimulus‐related activation and the effect of the motivational level.
Modulation of the initial light reflex during affective picture viewing
Authors: Henderson Robert R. , Bradley Margaret M. , Lang Peter J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn initial reflexive constriction of the pupil to stimulation—the light reflex—is primarily modulated by brightness, but is attenuated when participants are under threat of shock (i.e., fear‐inhibited light reflex). The present study assessed whether the light reflex is similarly attenuated when viewing emotional pictures. Pupil diameter was recorded while participants viewed erotic, violent, and neutral scenes that were matched in brightness; scrambled versions identical in brightness were also presented as an additional control. Compared to viewing neutral scenes, the light reflex was reliably modulated by hedonic content, with significant attenuation both when viewing unpleasant as well as pleasant pictures. No differences in the light reflex were found among scrambled versions. Thus, emotional modulation of the initial light reflex is not confined to a context of fear and is not indicative of brightness differences when viewing pictures of natural scenes.
Aspen Restoration Using Beaver on the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range under Reduced Ungulate Herbivory
Authors: Runyon Molly J. , Tyers Daniel B. , Sowell Bok F. , Gower Claire N. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractUngulate browsing and lack of overstory disturbance have historically prevented aspen regeneration on the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range (NYWR). Aspen clones regenerate if sprouts are produced that grow into recruitment stems (>2 m tall) and replace the mature overstory. Beaver reintroduced in 1991 to Eagle Creek on the NYWR facilitated aspen restoration by removing overstory trees and increasing sprouting. However, intense ungulate browsing, primarily from the Northern Yellowstone elk herd, was preventing aspen recruitment in Eagle Creek as of 2005. Since 2005, wolf predation has contributed to a 56% decrease in this elk herd. We investigated the effects of beaver reintroduction, ungulate herbivory, and predator‐mediated declines in elk numbers on aspen regeneration in Eagle Creek from 1997 to 2012. Aerial photos of Eagle Creek in 2005 and 2011 showed that the aspen overstory has not been replaced 21 years after beaver reintroduction (p > 0.05). Sprouting and recruitment were investigated using 4‐m radius circular plots (n = 31) established throughout Eagle Creek in 1997 and monitored annually until 2012. Beaver activity stimulated sprouting in 71% of these plots. In 2012, 77% of the plots had ≥1 recruitment stem and 75% of the paired plots associated with exclosures (n = 16) had aspen stems with an average height ≥2 m. Recent increases in aspen recruitment in Eagle Creek indicate that aspen communities are regenerating. This has likely resulted from decreased ungulate browsing pressure on aspen saplings from 2005 to 2012. These findings are consistent with the predictions of a density‐mediated trophic cascade following wolf reintroduction.
Establishment of Restoration Trajectories for Upland Tundra Communities on Diamond Mine Wastes in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Anne Naeth M. , Wilkinson Sarah R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMining in the arctic amplifies restoration challenges due to inherent environmental conditions by removing soil, vegetation, and the propagule bank, adding coarse textured wastes with low water holding capacity and nutrients, and introducing salt and metal contamination. Short‐term reclamation focuses on rebuilding soil and providing rapid native plant cover for erosion control, supporting longer term reestablishment of ecological processes for sustainable tundra communities that provide essential wildlife habitat. This study evaluated methods to restore soil and plant communities 5 years after implementation of treatments at a diamond mine in the Canadian arctic. Five substrates including mine waste materials (processed kimberlite, glacial till, gravel, and mixes), four amendments (inorganic fertilizer, salvaged soil, sewage sludge, and water treatment sludge), five native species seed mixes and natural recovery were investigated. Soil and plant response were assessed annually. Soil chemistry was ameliorated with time. Chromium, cobalt, and nickel concentrations in processed kimberlite remained high and potentially toxic to plants. Adding fine textured materials such as glacial till to mine wastes improved nutrient and water retention, which in turn enhanced revegetation. Sewage and inorganic fertilizer increased available nitrogen and phosphorus, plant density and cover. Soil amendment increased species richness. Seeding was essential to establish a vegetation cover. After 5 years, seed mix composition and diversity had no effect on plant community development; soil and plant community properties among treatments changed considerably, providing evidence that restoration in the arctic is dynamic yet slow and success cannot be determined in the short term.
The Relationship between ‘Non‐successor’ Farm Offspring and the Continuity of the Irish Family Farm
Authors: Cassidy Anne , McGrath Brian 
Published: May 2014

AbstractStudies of farm families have largely neglected the position of farm offspring who, through necessity or choice, live their lives away from the farm. This article explores how Irish farming offspring who will not or are highly unlikely to be farm successors frame their relationship with the farm, as well as their attitude to and role in the succession process and the continuity of the farm within the family. Particularly, the concern is to know how attachment to/detachment from the farm and home life are shaped and the implications for how they construct their identities. The article is based on a qualitative narrative study of 30 young adults from farm backgrounds attending university. It is argued that the ‘non‐successors’ in this cohort have a deep attachment to the farm as an enduring place in their lives. This has key implications for the desire to retain the farm within the family. The article demonstrates that while there is acceptance of enduring gendered cultural scripts surrounding succession, non‐successors demonstrate their attachments in key terms, namely through a collective and secure sense of ownership; a sense of responsibility in maintaining the intergenerational legacy and continuity; and the articulation of the farm as a repository of memories.
Contributions to Protection from Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection Using the Monovalent Recombinant Protein Vaccine Candidates PcpA, PhtD, and PlyD1 in an Infant Murine Model during Challenge
Authors: Verhoeven David , Perry Sheldon , Pichichero Michael E. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTA vaccine consisting of several conserved proteins with different functions directing the pathogenesis of pneumonia and sepsis would be preferred for protection against infection byStreptococcus pneumoniae. Infants will be the major population targeted for next-generation pneumococcal vaccines. Here, we investigated the potential efficacy provided by three recombinant pneumococcal vaccine candidate proteins—pneumococcal histidine triad D (PhtD), detoxified pneumolysin derivative (PlyD1), and pneumococcal choline-binding protein A (PcpA)—for reducing pneumonia and sepsis in an infant mouse vaccine model. We found vaccination with PhtD and PcpA provided high IgG antibody titers after vaccination in infant mice, similar to adult mice comparators. PlyD1-specific total IgG was significantly lower in infant mice, with minimal boosting with the second and third vaccinations. Similar isotypes of IgG for PhtD and PlyD1 were generated in infant compared to adult mice. Although lower total specific IgG to all three proteins was elicited in infant than in adult mice, the infant mice were protected from bacteremic pneumonia and sepsis mortality (PlyD1) and had lower lung bacterial burdens (PcpA and PhtD) after challenge. The observed immune responses coupled with bacterial reductions elicited by each of the monovalent proteins support further testing in human infant clinical trials.
Use of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper for Identification of Molds in the Clinical Mycology Laboratory
Authors: Schulthess Bettina , Ledermann Raphael , Mouttet Forouhar , Zbinden Andrea , Bloemberg Guido V. , Böttger Erik C. , Hombach Michael 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is increasingly used for the identification of bacteria and fungi in the diagnostic laboratory. We evaluated the mold database of Bruker Daltonik (Bremen, Germany), the Filamentous Fungi Library 1.0. First, we studied 83 phenotypically and molecularly well-characterized, nondermatophyte, nondematiaceous molds from a clinical strain collection. Using the manufacturer-recommended interpretation criteria, genus and species identification rates were 78.3% and 54.2%, respectively. Reducing the species cutoff from 2.0 to 1.7 significantly increased species identification to 71.1% without increasing misidentifications. In a subsequent prospective study, 200 consecutive clinical mold isolates were identified by the MALDI Biotyper and our conventional identification algorithm. Discrepancies were resolved by ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer region sequence analysis. For the MALDI Biotyper, genus and species identification rates were 83.5% and 79.0%, respectively, when using a species cutoff of 1.7. Not identified were 16.5% of the isolates. Concordant genus and species assignments of MALDI-TOF MS and the conventional identification algorithm were observed for 98.2% and 64.2% of the isolates, respectively. Four erroneous species assignments were observed using the MALDI Biotyper. The MALDI Biotyper seems highly reliable for the identification of molds when using the Filamentous Fungi Library 1.0 and a species cutoff of 1.7. However, expansion of the database is required to reduce the number of nonidentified isolates.