bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral Absorption and Disposition of alpha‐Linolenic, Rumenic and Vaccenic Acids After Administration as a Naturally Enriched Goat Dairy Fat to Rats
Authors: Rodríguez‐Alcalá Luís Miguel , Ares Irma , Fontecha Javier , Juarez Manuela , Castellano Victor , Martínez‐Larrañaga María Rosa , Anadón Arturo , Martínez María Aránzazu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAlthough there is extensive information describing the positive biological effects of conjugated linoleic acid and its main isomer rumenic acid (RA; C18:2 cis 9, trans 11), and alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) and vaccenic acid (TVA), data about their bioavailability are not available. In this work, we investigated the oral absorption and disposition of these fatty acids in Wistar rats. A naturally enriched goat dairy fat (EDF) was obtained by supplementing ruminant diets with oils or oilseeds rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The EDF was administered orally (single dose of 3000 mg EDF/kg body weight equivalent to 153 mg TVA/kg body weight, 46 mg RA/kg body weight and 31 mg ALA/kg body weight), and serial blood and liver samples were collected and TVA, RA and ALA concentrations determined by GC/MS. The fatty acids TVA, RA and ALA were rapidly absorbed (t1/2a, 0.36, 0.66 and 0.76 h, respectively, for plasma) and slowly eliminated (t1/2β, 17.04, 18.40 and 16.52 h, respectively, for plasma). The maximum concentration (Cmax) was detected in liver > plasma > erythrocyte. Our study shows that when orally administered EDF, its components TVA, RA and ALA were rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body by the blood circulation to exert systemic effects.
A Screening Method to Evaluate Soybean Oil‐Based Biodiesel Oxidative Quality During Its Shelf Life
Authors: Pereira Gustavo G. , Alberici Rosana M. , Ferreira Lucas L. , Santos Jandyson M. , Nascimento Heliara L. , Eberlin Marcos N. , Barrera‐Arellano Daniel 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBiodiesel quality is negatively affected by oxidation, which occurs primarily during the storage and distribution steps. Therefore, the use of suitable analytical methods to assess the oxidation of this biofuel is a fundamental requirement. A direct ambient ionization mass spectrometric technique (EASI‐MS) was tested as a screening method to evaluate the oxidative quality of biodiesel during its shelf life. Using EASI‐MS, the relative abundance of the hydroperoxide ion of m/z 349 was monitored during the induction period (IP) in soybean and a blend of soybean/beef‐tallow (70/30) biodiesel samples. The peroxide value obtained by AOCS Cd 8b‐90 was used as a standard method to evaluate the EASI‐MS data by comparison. The results showed that the peroxide value and EASI‐MS data were highly correlated during the IP for both samples (r > 0.98). Relative abundances of the ion of m/z 349 below 72 % was also found to characterize biodiesel in an initial oxidation stage, whereas abundances exceeding 72 % indicated biodiesel samples nearing the end of their stability. EASI‐MS was therefore found to provide a simple and effective analytical protocol to evaluate the oxidative quality of biodiesel during the IP.
Application of Infrared Spectroscopy for Characterization of Dietary Omega‐3 Oil Supplements
Authors: Plans Marçal , Wenstrup Michael J. , Rodriguez‐Saona Luis E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFish oil dietary supplements have been linked with health benefits, due to high omega‐3 concentration. The sources of these effects, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are almost exclusively found in seafood products. Our objectives were to characterize the composition of commercial omega‐3 dietary supplements dietary supplements and to generate partial least square regression (PLSR) models using infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. Fatty acid (FA) composition of oils was determined by FA methyl ester gas chromatography. The supplements encompassed a wide range of FA profiles and delivery methods. Infrared spectral data were collected by portable mid‐infrared Fourier transform infrared (MID FT‐IR) equipment. Principal components analysis (PCA) separated samples based on the type of ester present in the fish oil dietary supplements, showing a strong influence of the 1038 cm−1 band, which is typically associated with C=C and C–O stretching vibrations. In addition, PLSR was used to correlate the spectra data with GC‐FAME results. PCA using the spectroscopy data allowed for tight clustering of fish oil into distinct classes, depending on the source and processing. PLSR using MID FT‐IR spectra and FA composition generated multivariate models with high correlation coefficient (R ≥ 0.93), and SEP between 0.53 and 2.13 g of FA per 100 g of oil. Our results indicate that IR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics provides for robust screening of FA composition of fish oil supplements, and discriminate types of FAs esterification.
Importance of ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR) and volume of CSF drainage in the treatment of very low pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Houlden D , Li M , Portman S 
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Low pressure hydrocephalus is a known complication of prolonged hydrocephalus sometimes treatable with continued low-pressure drainage at subatmospheric pressures. Clarke et. al. and Filipidis et. al. have reported poor outcomes when treating very low pressure hydrocephalus (VLPH). We present 4 cases of very low pressure hydrocephalus (VLPH) following transnasal endoscopic resection of suprasellar lesions and hypothesize that poor prognostic cases can be identified thereby avoiding prolonged futile treatments. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 4 cases of VLPH and tried to identify metrics contributing to successful treatment. We examined the Pearson correlations between Glasgow Coma Scale and ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR); volume of CSF drained; net fluids; and serum sodium, urea, and creatinine. Results: Our investigation reveals that Glasgow Coma Score is positively correlated with increased CSF drainage and negatively correlated with increased ventricle-to-brain ratio. The most important determinant of good outcome is brain compliance as measured by the brain’s ability to maintain a good GCS score in the face of wide ranges in ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR). Conclusion: We propose that futile prolonged subatmospheric drainage be avoided by declining treatment in patients who have ventriculitis and patients who have a narrow range of ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR) concurrent with a good neurological examination.
Modelling the cost-effectiveness of pharmacotherapy compared with cognitive–behavioural therapy and combination therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe depression in the UK
Authors: Koeser L. , Donisi V. , Goldberg D. P. , McCrone P. 
Published: June 2015

Background.The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England and Wales recommends the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for the treatment of moderate to severe depression. However, the cost-effectiveness analysis on which these recommendations are based has not included psychotherapy as monotherapy as a potential option. For this reason, we aimed to update, augment and refine the existing economic evaluation.Method.We constructed a decision analytic model with a 27-month time horizon. We compared pharmacotherapy with cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) and combination treatment for moderate to severe depression in secondary care from a healthcare service perspective. We reviewed the literature to identify relevant evidence and, where possible, synthesized evidence from clinical trials in a meta-analysis to inform model parameters.Results.The model suggested that CBT as monotherapy was most likely to be the most cost-effective treatment option above a threshold of £22 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). It dominated combination treatment and had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £20 039 per QALY compared with pharmacotherapy. There was significant decision uncertainty in the probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses.Conclusions.Contrary to previous NICE guidance, the results indicated that even for those patients for whom pharmacotherapy is acceptable, CBT as monotherapy may be a cost-effective treatment option. However, this conclusion was based on a limited evidence base, particularly for combination treatment. In addition, this evidence cannot easily be transferred to a primary care setting.
Delusional disorder and schizophrenia: a comparison of the neurocognitive and clinical characteristics in first-episode patients
Authors: Hui C. L. M. , Lee E. H. M. , Chang W. C. , Chan S. K. W. , Lin J. , Xu J. Q. , Chen E. Y. H. 
Published: June 2015

Background.Delusional disorder (DD) is thought to be distinct from schizophrenia (SZ). However, few systematic investigations have been conducted on DD because of the difficulty in ascertaining a representative sample size. Existing knowledge has been mostly generated from inpatient cohorts, which may be biased towards a more severe sample.Method.We compared the demographic, clinical and cognitive differences between 71 patients with first-episode DD and 71 age-matched patients with first-episode SZ. Participants were consecutively recruited from a population-based territory-wide study of early psychosis in Hong Kong targeting first-episode psychosis. Basic demographic information, premorbid functioning, duration of untreated psychosis, pathways to care, symptomatology, social, occupational, and cognitive functioning were comprehensively assessed using standardized measurements.Results.Patients with DD had less premorbid schizoid and schizotypal traits compared to patients with SZ. More patients with DD were married compared to patients with SZ. However, at first episode, there were no significant differences between the two groups in regards to the duration of untreated psychosis, pathways to care, symptom severity, neurocognitive performance, treatment, and functioning.Conclusions.Our findings challenge previous thinking that patients with DD had better functioning than patients with SZ. This study not only provides an updated perspective into conceptualizing the clinical differences between DD and SZ, but also expands the descriptive account of the two disorders to include the neurocognitive dimension.
Exposure to cows is not associated with diarrhoea or impaired child growth in rural Odisha, India: a cohort study
Authors: SCHMIDT W.-P. , BOISSON S. , ROUTRAY P. , BELL M. , CAMERON M. , TORONDEL B. , CLASEN T. 
Published: June 2015

SUMMARYExposure to animal livestock has been linked to zoonotic transmission, especially of gastrointestinal pathogens. Exposure to animals may contribute to chronic asymptomatic intestinal infection, environmental enteropathy and child under-nutrition in low-income settings. We conducted a cohort study to explore the effect of exposure to cows on growth and endemic diarrhoea in children aged <5 years in a rural, low-income setting in the Indian state of Odisha. The study enrolled 1992 households with 2739 children. Height measurements were available for 824 children. Exposure to cows was measured as (1) the presence of a cowshed within or outside the compound, (2) the number of cows owned by a household, and (3) the number of cowsheds located within 50 m of a household. In a sub-study of 518 households, fly traps were used to count the number of synanthropic flies that may act as vectors for gastrointestinal pathogens. We found no evidence that environmental exposure to cows contributes to growth deficiency in children in rural India, neither directly by affecting growth, nor indirectly by increasing the risk of diarrhoea. We found no strong evidence that the presence of a cowshed increased the number synanthropic flies in households.
Sodium in commonly consumed fast foods in New Zealand: a public health opportunity
Authors: Prentice Celia A , Smith Claire , McLean Rachael M 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjective(i) To determine the Na content of commonly consumed fast foods in New Zealand and (ii) to estimate Na intake from savoury fast foods for the New Zealand adult population.DesignCommonly consumed fast foods were identified from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Na values from all savoury fast foods from chain restaurants (n 471) were obtained from nutrition information on company websites, while the twelve most popular fast-food types from independent outlets (n 52) were determined using laboratory analysis. Results were compared with the UK Food Standards Agency 2012 sodium targets. Nutrient analysis was completed to estimate Na intake from savoury fast foods for the New Zealand population using the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey.SettingNew Zealand.SubjectsAdults aged 15 years and above.ResultsFrom chain restaurants, sauces/salad dressings and fried chicken had the highest Na content (per 100 g) and from independent outlets, sausage rolls, battered hotdogs and mince and cheese pies were highest in Na (per 100 g). The majority of fast foods exceeded the UK Food Standards Agency 2012 sodium targets. The mean daily Na intake from savoury fast foods was 283 mg/d for the total adult population and 1229 mg/d for fast-food consumers.ConclusionsTaking into account the Na content and frequency of consumption, potato dishes, filled rolls, hamburgers and battered fish contributed substantially to Na intake for fast-food consumers in New Zealand. These foods should be targeted for Na reduction reformulation.
Explaining Interfaith Dialogue in the Muslim World
Authors: Kayaoglu Turan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn the last two decades, several Muslim states and civil society groups have embraced interfaith dialogue as a means of engagement with non-Muslims, especially with Christians. Why do these actors initiate interfaith dialogue? Why do they follow different interfaith dialogue strategies? This article argues that Islamic actors initiate interfaith dialogue to signal their moderate stance to powerful others who are concerned with Islamic radicalization and violence. These Islamic interfaith actors follow different strategies because of their interfaith theology (ideas about the legitimacy of religious others) and the nature of state-religion interaction (secular versus religious states) in their home countries. To support its argument, this article examines three Muslim interfaith initiatives: the Gülen Movement in Turkey and beyond (Sunni-Sufi, a civil society-led project), Jordan's A Common Word initiative (Sunni, a semi-governmental project), and Saudi Arabia's interfaith efforts (Sunni-Wahhabi, a state-led project).
Europäische Umfrage zum Einsatz von Beschwerdenvalidierungstests: Ergebnisse der deutschen Teilnehmer
Authors: Dandachi-FitzGerald Brechje , Merten Thomas , Ponds Rudolf , Niemann Hendrik 
Published: June 2015

Zur Praxis der Beschwerdenvalidierung wurde 2011 eine Umfrage unter europäischen Neuropsychologen durchgeführt ( Dandachi-FitzGerald, Ponds & Merten, 2013 ). Die Ergebnisse der deutschsprachigen Teilstichprobe werden berichtet (n = 211). Obwohl die Teilnehmer die Bedeutung einer sorgfältigen Beurteilung der Beschwerdenvalidität anerkannten, dominieren nichtstandardisierte Ansätze. Die am häufigsten eingesetzten Beschwerdenvalidierungstests waren: Testbatterie zur Forensischen Neuropsychologie, Word Memory Test, Rey 15-Item-Test, Amsterdamer Kurzzeitgedächtnistest, Aggravations- und Simulationstest. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine große Streuung bezüglich der Erwartungen über die Prävalenz negativer Antwortverzerrungen sowie zum Einsatz von Beschwerdenvalidierungstests. Erhebliche Unterschiede gab es in der Praxis der Beschwerdenvalidierung in gutachtlichen gegenüber klinischen Untersuchungskontexten. Leitlinien für die Beurteilung der Beschwerdenvalidität fehlen im deutschen Sprachraum und sind in Europa bislang nur aus Großbritannien bekannt.
Face Memory in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease Moderated by Sex and Encoding Duration
Authors: Arndt Larissa R. , Esser Günter , Weirich Sebastian , Oelsner Henriette , Ebersbach Georg , Bengner Thomas 
Published: June 2015

We examined face memory deficits in patients with Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) with specific regard to the moderating role of sex and the different memory processes involved. We tested short- and long-term face recognition memory in 18 nonclinical participants and 18 IPD-patients matched for sex, education and age. We varied the duration of item presentation (1, 5, 10s), the time of testing (immediately, 1hr, 24hrs) and the possibility to re-encode items. In accordance with earlier studies, we report face memory deficits in IPD. Moreover, our findings indicate that sex and encoding conditions may be important moderator variables. In contrast to healthy individuals, IPD-patients cannot gain from increasing duration of presentation. Furthermore, our results suggest that IPD leads to face memory deficits in women, only.
Circadian control of bile acid synthesis by a KLF15-Fgf15 axis
Authors: Han Shuxin , Zhang Rongli , Jain Rajan , Shi Hong , Zhang Lilei , Zhou Guangjin , Sangwung Panjamaporn , Tugal Derin , Atkins G. Brandon , Prosdocimo Domenick A. , Lu Yuan , Han Xiaonan , Tso Patrick , Liao Xudong , Epstein Jonathan A. , Jain Mukesh K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCircadian control of nutrient availability is critical to efficiently meet the energetic demands of an organism. Production of bile acids (BAs), which facilitate digestion and absorption of nutrients, is a major regulator of this process. Here we identify a KLF15-Fgf15 signalling axis that regulates circadian BA production. Systemic Klf15 deficiency disrupted circadian expression of key BA synthetic enzymes, tissue BA levels and triglyceride/cholesterol absorption. Studies in liver-specific Klf15-knockout mice suggested a non-hepatic basis for regulation of BA production. Ileal Fgf15 is a potent inhibitor of BA synthesis. Using a combination of biochemical, molecular and functional assays (including ileectomy and bile duct catheterization), we identify KLF15 as the first endogenous negative regulator of circadian Fgf15 expression. Elucidation of this novel pathway controlling circadian BA production has important implications for physiologic control of nutrient availability and metabolic homeostasis.
Imaging screw dislocations at atomic resolution by aberration-corrected electron optical sectioning
Authors: Yang H. , Lozano J. G. , Pennycook T. J. , Jones L. , Hirsch P. B. , Nellist P. D. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractScrew dislocations play an important role in materials’ mechanical, electrical and optical properties. However, imaging the atomic displacements in screw dislocations remains challenging. Although advanced electron microscopy techniques have allowed atomic-scale characterization of edge dislocations from the conventional end-on view, for screw dislocations, the atoms are predominantly displaced parallel to the dislocation line, and therefore the screw displacements are parallel to the electron beam and become invisible when viewed end-on. Here we show that screw displacements can be imaged directly with the dislocation lying in a plane transverse to the electron beam by optical sectioning using annular dark field imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope. Applying this technique to a mixed [a+c] dislocation in GaN allows direct imaging of a screw dissociation with a 1.65-nm dissociation distance, thereby demonstrating a new method for characterizing dislocation core structures.
Phase and composition controllable synthesis of cobalt manganese spinel nanoparticles towards efficient oxygen electrocatalysis
Authors: Li Chun , Han Xiaopeng , Cheng Fangyi , Hu Yuxiang , Chen Chengcheng , Chen Jun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSpinel-type oxides are technologically important in many fields, including electronics, magnetism, catalysis and electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Typically, these materials are prepared by conventional ceramic routes that are energy consuming and offer limited control over shape and size. Moreover, for mixed-metal oxide spinels (for example, CoxMn3−xO4), the crystallographic phase sensitively correlates with the metal ratio, posing great challenges to synthesize active product with simultaneously tuned phase and composition. Here we report a general synthesis of ultrasmall cobalt manganese spinels with tailored structural symmetry and composition through facile solution-based oxidation–precipitation and insertion–crystallization process at modest condition. As an example application, the nanocrystalline spinels catalyse the oxygen reduction/evolution reactions, showing phase and composition co-dependent performance. Furthermore, the mild synthetic strategy allows the formation of homogeneous and strongly coupled spinel/carbon nanocomposites, which exhibit comparable activity but superior durability to Pt/C and serve as efficient catalysts to build rechargeable Zn–air and Li–air batteries.
Novel anti-thrombotic agent for modulation of protein disulfide isomerase family member ERp57 for prophylactic therapy
Authors: Cui Guozhen , Shan Luchen , Guo Lin , Chu Ivan Keung , Li Guohui , Quan Quan , Zhao Yun , Chong Cheong Meng , Zhang Zaijun , Yu Pei , Hoi Maggie Pui Man , Sun Yewei , Wang Yuqiang , Lee Simon MingYuen 
Published: June 2015

AbstractProtein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members including PDI and ERp57 emerge as novel targets for anti-thrombotic treatments, but chemical agents with selectivity remain to be explored. We previously reported a novel derivative of danshensu (DSS), known as ADTM, displayed strong cardioprotective effects against oxidative stress-induced cellular injuryin vitroand acute myocardial infarctin vivo. Herein, using chemical proteomics approach, we identified ERp57 as a major target of ADTM. ADTM displayed potent inhibitory effects on the redox activity of ERp57, inhibited the adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced expressions of P-selectin and αIIbβ3 integrin and disrupted the interaction between ERp57 and αIIbβ3. In addition, ADTM inhibited both arachidonic acid (AA)-induced and ADP-induced platelet aggregationin vitro. Furthermore, ADTM significantly inhibited rat platelet aggregation and thrombus formationin vivo. Taken together, ADTM represents a promising candidate for anti-thrombotic therapy targeting ERp57.
Adaptive Spontaneous Transitions between Two Mechanisms of Numerical Averaging
Authors: Brezis Noam , Bronfman Zohar Z. , Usher Marius 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe investigated the mechanism with which humans estimate numerical averages. Participants were presented with 4, 8 or 16 (two-digit) numbers, serially and rapidly (2 numerals/second) and were instructed to convey the sequence average. As predicted by a dual, but not a single-component account, we found a non-monotonic influence of set-size on accuracy. Moreover, we observed a marked decrease in RT as set-size increases and RT-accuracy tradeoff in the 4-, but not in the 16-number condition. These results indicate that in accordance with the normative directive, participants spontaneously employ analytic/sequential thinking in the 4-number condition and intuitive/holistic thinking in the 16-number condition. When the presentation rate is extreme (10 items/sec) we find that, while performance still remains high, the estimations are now based on intuitive processing. The results are accounted for by a computational model postulating population-coding underlying intuitive-averaging and working-memory-mediated symbolic procedures underlying analytical-averaging, with flexible allocation between the two.