bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of rice ageing and freeze‐thaw cycle on textural properties of cooked rice (Oryza sativaL.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105
Authors: Katekhong Wattinee , Charoenrein Sanguansri 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis study investigated the effect of rice grain ageing (0.7–12 months) and freeze‐thaw 1–5 cycles on the textural properties of cooked rice. The cooked rice from aged rice grains was freezing and thawing up to five cycles. Ageing of the rice grain increased the hardness and decreased the stickiness of the cooked rice. Repeated freeze‐thaw cycles caused an increase in hardness and a decrease in stickiness of aged cooked rice. Scanning electron micrographs showed a rough surface on the cooked rice after repeated freeze‐thaw cycles, especially for cooked rice from rice aged for 12 months. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction showed increased starch retrogradation with increased freeze‐thaw cycles. The gelatinisation temperature and gelatinisation enthalpy increased when rice was aged for longer periods. Thus, ageing of rice and the number of freeze‐thaw cycles influence the textural properties of cooked rice.
Characterisation and comparison of phenols, flavonoids and isoflavones of soymilk and their correlations with antioxidant activity
Authors: Ma Yurong , Huang Huihua 
Published: April 2014

SummaryTo investigate the relationship between bioactive compounds and antioxidant property, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), individual and total isoflavone content of soymilk and their correlations with oxygen‐radical‐absorbing capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity values were evaluated and compared. Results showed that TPC, TFC, isoflavones (including concentration and profiles) and antioxidation activity significantly varied among ten tested soybean cultivars. Significant correlations were established between DPPH and TFC (r = 0.553, P < 0.01), DPPH and TPC (r = 0.753, P < 0.01), FRAP and TFC (r = 0.599, P < 0.01) and FRAP and TPC (r = 0.616, P < 0.01). Positive linear correlations were found between subtotal, total isoflavones and ORAC. Unlike other isoflavone monomers, aglycone isoflavones correlated positively with DPPH and FRAP significantly. DPPH well correlated with FRAP, whereas neither DPPH nor FRAP correlated with ORAC. TPC, TFC, individual and total isoflavone values are potentially useful for soymilk antioxidant activity assessment.
Dimensions of the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life of affected women: a review of the English literature
Authors: Seshan Vidya , Muliira Joshua Kanaabi 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTUrinary incontinence (UI) is a condition encountered by many women in their middle ages and although it is not life threatening, it tremendously affects the quality of life (QOL) of affected women. The purpose of this review was to characterize the dimensions of women's QOL affected by UI. A systematic review of published literature reporting about primary studies was conducted using specific Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: (urinary incontinence) and 1 – (quality of life), 2 – (outcome), 3 – (well‐being), 4 – (health outcomes), 5 – (women), 6 – (social well fair) and 7 – (signs and symptoms). This yielded 545 articles and 12 articles met the inclusion criteria. Searches were conducted from electronic databases including PubMed, CINHAL and SCOPUS. The studies included in the review used different measurements to reach conclusion about the effect of UI on QOL. All the studies emphasized that UI has a negative impact on at least two aspects of the affected woman's QOL. The results of the review show that UI negatively impacts women's QOL in four main dimensions such as physical health, mental health, sexual health and social well‐being. UI negatively impacts affected women's in various aspects of their life and to effectively address their health care needs it requires a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to their health care needs.
Transcriptional activation of antioxidants may compensate for selenoprotein deficiencies in Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) injected with selK‐ or selM‐dsRNA
Authors: Adamson S. , Browning R. , Singh P. , Nobles S. , Villarreal A. , Karim S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe Gulf‐Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, possesses an elaborate set of selenoproteins, which prevent the deleterious effects from oxidative stress that would otherwise occur during feeding. In the current work, we examined the role of selenoprotein K (SelK) and selenoprotein M (SelM) in feeding A. maculatum by bioinformatics, transcriptional gene expression, RNA interference and antioxidant assays. The transcriptional expression of SelK did not vary significantly in salivary glands or midguts throughout the bloodmeal. However, there was a 58‐fold increase in transcript levels of SelM in tick midguts. Ticks injected with selK‐dsRNA or selM‐dsRNA did not reveal any observable differences in egg viability but oviposition was reduced. Surprisingly, salivary antioxidant activity was higher in selenoprotein knockouts compared with controls, which is probably the result of compensatory transcriptional expression of genes involved in combating reactive oxygen species. In fact, quantitative real‐time PCR data suggest that the transcriptional expression of catalase increased in ticks injected with selM‐double‐stranded RNA. Additionally, the transcriptional expression of selN decreased ∼90% in both SelK/SelM knockdowns. These data indicate that SelK and SelM are salivary antioxidants but are not essential for tick survival or reproduction and are compensated by other antioxidant systems.
Suppressive effects of neutrophil bySalp16‐like salivary gland proteins fromIxodes persulcatus Schulze tick
Authors: Hidano A. , Konnai S. , Yamada S. , Githaka N. , Isezaki M. , Higuchi H. , Nagahata H. , Ito T. , Takano A. , Ando S. , Kawabata H. , Murata S. , Ohahsi K. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSalp16, a 16‐kDa tick salivary gland protein, is known to be the molecule involved in the transmission ofAnaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular pathogen causing zoonotic anaplasmosis, from its mammalian hosts toIxodes scapularis.Recently, the presence ofA. phagocytophilumwas documented inJapan andIxodes persulcatuswas identified as one of its vectors. The purpose of this study was to identifySalp16genes inI. persulcatusand characterize their function. TwocDNAclones encoding theSalp16‐like sequences were obtained from the salivary glands of fed femaleI. persulcatusticks and designatedSalp16Iper1andIper2. Gene expression analyses showed that theSalp16Ipergenes were expressed specifically in the salivary glands and were up‐regulated by blood feeding. These proteins attenuated the oxidative burst of activated bovine neutrophils and inhibited their migration induced by the chemoattractant interleukin‐8 (IL‐8). These results demonstrate thatSalp16Iper proteins contribute to the establishment of blood feeding as an immunosuppressant of neutrophil, an essential factor in innate host immunity. Further examination of the role ofSalp16Iper in the transmission of pathogens, includingA. phagocytophilum, will increase our understanding of the tick–host–pathogen interface.
Relationships between A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza infection and infections with other respiratory viruses
Authors: Meningher Tal , Hindiyeh Musa , Regev Liora , Sherbany Hilda , Mendelson Ella , Mandelboim Michal 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundA(H1N1)pdm09, a new influenza pandemic virus emerged in 2009. The A(H1N1)pdm09 infection had several unique characteristics which included rapid transmissibility and high morbidity in obese individuals, pregnant women and individuals suffering from chronic diseases.ObjectivesTo study the relationships between A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza infection and infections with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumo virus (hMPV), adenovirus and seasonal influenza.MethodsSamples (nasopharyngeal swabs or aspirates) collected between 2007 until 2012 from patients of various ages that were hospitalized due to respiratory virus infections were analyzed for the presence of various respiratory viruses, using qRT‐PCR.ResultsIn 2009–2010, when the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 first appeared, two major infection peaks were noted and individuals of various ages were infected. Following the decline of the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection, the percentages of patients infected with adenovirus and hMPV increased, while infection frequency with RSV B and with seasonal influenza virus decreased. Furthermore, RSV infections were delayed and very few percentages of patients were co‐infected with more than one virus. Interestingly, the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus lost its dominancy when it reappeared in the winter of 2010–2011, and at this time, only the incidence of RSV infections was affected by the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus.ConclusionsThe A(H1N1)pdm09 virus had distinct effects on other respiratory viruses when it first appeared versus later, when it evolved from being a pandemic to a seasonal virus.
Cultivar Specific Response of CO2 Fertilization on Two Tropical Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Cultivars: ROS Generation, Antioxidant Status, Physiology, Growth, Yield and Seed Quality
Authors: Mishra A. K. , Agrawal S. B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIncreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) is an important component of global climate change that will have a significant impact on the productivity of crop plants. In recent years, growth and yield of agricultural crop plants have been shown to increase with elevated CO2 (EC) and have enticed considerable interest due to variation in the response of crop plants. In this study, comparative response of two mung bean cultivars (HUM‐2 and HUM‐6) was evaluated against EC at different growth stages under near‐natural conditions for two consecutive years. The plants were grown in ambient as well as EC (700 ppm) in specially designed open‐top chambers. Under elevated CO2, marked down‐regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, membrane disruption and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were noticed in both the cultivars, but the extent of reduction was more in HUM‐6. As compared to ambient CO2, EC increased total chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, growth and yield parameters. Cultivar‐specific response was noticed as HUM‐6 showed higher increase in yield attributes than HUM‐2. Under CO2 treatment, soluble protein and reducing sugars decreased while total soluble sugars and starch showed an opposite trend. Principal component analysis showed that both the cultivars responded more or less similarly to EC in their respective groupings of physiological and growth parameters, but the magnitude of ROS and antioxidative enzymes was variable. The experimental findings depict that both the cultivars of mung bean showed contrasting response against EC and paved the way for selecting the suitable cultivar having higher productivity in a future high‐CO2 environment.
Atrioesophageal Fistula Complicating Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: KAWASAKI RAYMOND , GAURI ANDRE , ELMOUCHI DARRYL , DUGGAL MANOJ , BHAN ADARSH 
Published: April 2014

Atrioesophageal Fistula Complicating Cryoballoon PulmonaryAlthough atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) formation is a well known, albeit rare, catastrophic complication of atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation procedures, there are less data regarding this complication using the cryoballoon technique. We report on 3 cases of AEF as a complication of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation at 3 different institutions with 2 different generations of cryoballoons.
Management of atopic dermatitis: are there differences between children and adults?
Authors: Fölster‐Holst R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) usually begins during infancy. In its classical form infantile AD involves the scalp, the face and the extensor surfaces of the extremities. However, it may present as erythroderma, which should exclude other differential diagnoses including metabolic and immunodeficiency disorders. In the management we have to consider the high ratio of body surface to body weight, which is associated with high absorption of topically applied drugs. Especially in early childhood off‐label use is a common practice. This requires intensive educational work with parents.
Probiotics and primary prevention of atopic dermatitis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled studies
Authors: Panduru M. , Panduru N.M. , Sălăvăstru C.M. , Tiplica G.‐S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundAtopic Dermatitis (AD) has an increasing incidence and the real cause of the disease is not known yet. Probiotics may be involved in AD prevention, but their role is controversial.ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of probiotics in AD occurrence.MethodsWe carried out an extensive search on this topic in the international databases (Pubmed, Scopus,Web of knowledge, EBSCO, ARTO, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov.) selecting only those studies where the role of probiotics in AD occurrence was analysed. For the selected studies we calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CIs).ResultsInitially, we found 1513 articles, of which only 26 studies fulfilled our criteria. After exclusion of studies on the same populations, 16 studies were included in the final analysis. The meta‐analysis of these studies revealed that probiotics administration confers protection against AD occurrence (OR = 0.64, P < 0.001). The subgroup meta‐analysis, in general population and population at high risk for allergies, suggested that probiotics administration is protective for AD development in both subgroups (OR = 0.53, P = 0.005; OR = 0.66, P < 0.001). Additional subgroup analysis showed that probiotics prenatal administration followed by postnatal administration was protective (OR = 0.61, P < 0.001) unlike only administration in postnatal period (OR = 0.95, P < 0.82). Finally, the subgroup analysis based on the type of treatment suggested that both Lactobacillus alone and Lactobacillus with Bifidobacterium are protective against AD (OR = 0.70, P = 0.004; OR = 0.62, P < 0.001).ConclusionProbiotics seem to have a protective role in AD prevention if there are administration in pre and postnatal period in both general and allergic risk population.
Impact on Prognosis of Periprocedural Bleeding after TAVI: Mid‐Term Follow‐Up of a Multicenter Prospective Study
Authors: MORETTI CLAUDIO , D'AMICO MAURIZIO , D'ASCENZO FABRIZIO , COLACI CHIARA , SALIZZONI STEFANO , TAMBURINO CORRADO , PRESBITERO PATRIZIA , MARRA SEBASTIANO , SHEIBAN IMAD , GAITA FIORENZO 
Published: April 2014

AimsImpact of periprocedural bleeding after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) over mid‐term prognosis remains still unclear.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent TAVI from May 2008 to July 2012 were prospectively included and stratified according to life‐threatening (LT) and major bleeding (MB). Mid‐term all‐cause death was the primary end‐point, and 30‐day death, vascular complications, stroke, and acute kidney injury the secondary ones. All end‐points were adjudicated according to VARC.ResultsSeven hundred fourteen patients with an average age of 81.9 ± 5.8 years were included. 130 (18%) patients suffered a LT, 112 (16%) a MB. A preprocedural GFR <30 ml/min and increasing diameter of sheaths were independent predictors of LT or MB, while transfemoral approach showed a protective effect (OR 0.42; CI: 0.26–0.68; P = 0.035). At 30 days LT (OR 3.3; CI: 1.1–9.7; P = 0.0026) and MB (OR 3.5; CI: 1.4–8.6; P = 0.007) bleeding along with GFR < 30 ml/min (OR 2.3; CI: 1.1–5.5; P = 0.04) were independent predictors of death, while bleeding did not impact survival on mid term (OR 0.9; CI: 0.47–1.7; P = 0.78; all CI 95%).ConclusionPeriprocedural bleeding after TAVI was frequent and associated with an increased mortality after 30 days but not after mid‐term follow‐up. A preprocedural GFR < 30 ml/min was the most important predictor of bleeding, enabling risk stratification and choice of approach for these patients. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:293–299)
Questioning vitamin D status of elderly fallers and nonfallers: a meta‐analysis to address a ‘forgotten step’
Authors: Annweiler C. , Beauchet O. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundPrevious meta‐analyses to determine the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in the elderly have shown mixed results. Inconsistencies might depend on the dose of supplements, suggesting that serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration could influence the risk of falling. Our objective was to systematically review and quantitatively analyse the relationship between serum 25OHDconcentration and the occurrence of falls.MethodsA Medline search was conducted in December 2013, with no date limit, using the Medical Subject Heading terms ‘Vitamin D’OR‘Ergocalciferols’OR‘Vitamin D deficiency’ combined with ‘Accidental Falls’OR‘Gait disorders, neurologic’OR‘Gait apraxia’OR‘Gait’OR‘Recurrent Falls’OR‘Falling’. Fixed and random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed to determine the following: (i) the effect size of the difference in 25OHDconcentration between fallers and nonfallers and (ii) the risk of falling according to serum 25OHDconcentration.ResultsOf the 659 retrieved studies, 18 observational studies – including ten cross‐sectional and eight cohort studies – met the selection criteria. All were of good quality. The number of participants ranged from 80 to 2957 (44–100% women); 11.0% to 69.3% were fallers. Serum 25OHD concentrations were 0.33 × SD lower in fallers compared to nonfallers [pooled effect size 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.47]. The risk of falls was inversely associated with serum 25OHD concentration [summary odds ratio (OR) 0.97; 95% CI 0.96–0.99]. The association between falls and hypovitaminosis D varied according to the definition used; the summary OR for falls was 1.23 (95% CI 0.94–1.60) for 25OHD <10 ng mL−1, 1.44 (95% CI 1.17–1.76) for 25OHD <20 ng mL−1and 0.95 (95% CI 0.81–1.11) for 25OHD <30 ng mL−1.ConclusionsFallers have lower 25OHD concentrations, notably more often <20 ng mL−1, than nonfallers. These findings help to determine the profile of target populations that would most benefit from vitamin D supplements to prevent falls.
Influence of posterior dental arch length on brain activity during chewing in patients with mandibular distal extension removable partial dentures
Authors: Shoi K. , Fueki K. , Usui N. , Taira M. , Wakabayashi N. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIt is well known that shortened dental arch decreases masticatory function. However, its potential to change brain activity during mastication is unknown. The present study investigates the effect of a shortened posterior dental arch with mandibular removable partial dentures (RPDs) on brain activity during gum chewing. Eleven subjects with missing mandibular molars (mean age, 66·1 years) on both sides received experimental RPDs with interchangeable artificial molars in a crossover trial design. Brain activity during gum chewing with RPDs containing (full dental arch) and lacking artificial molars (shortened dental arch) was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, masticatory function was evaluated for each dental arch type. Food comminuting and mixing ability and the perceived chewing ability were significantly lower in subjects with a shortened dental arch than those with a full dental arch (P < 0·05). Brain activation during gum chewing with the full dental arch occurred in the middle frontal gyrus, primary sensorimotor cortex extending to the pre‐central gyrus, supplementary motor area, putamen, insula and cerebellum. However, middle frontal gyrus activation was not observed during gum chewing with the shortened dental arch. These results suggest that shortened dental arch affects human brain activity in the middle frontal gyrus during gum chewing, and the decreased middle frontal gyrus activation may be associated with decreased masticatory function.
LOCAL POLITICS AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY: INFORMATION AGGREGATION AND POLARIZATION
Authors: Berliant Marcus , Tabuchi Takatoshi 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTWe consider information aggregation in national and local elections when voters are mobile and might sort themselves into local districts. Using a standard model of private information for voters in elections in combination with a new economic geography model, agglomeration occurs for economic reasons, whereas voter stratification occurs due to political preferences. When trade is more costly, people tend to agglomerate for economic reasons, resulting in full information equivalence in the political sector. Under free trade, people sort themselves into districts, most of which are polarized, resulting in no full information equivalence in these districts.
WHY DO RENTERS STAY IN OR LEAVE CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS? THE ROLE OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS, HOUSING TENURE TRANSITIONS, AND RACE
Authors: Lee Kwan Ok 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTGiven significant variation in population turnover and stability across neighborhoods, this study examines why renters stay in or leave certain neighborhoods. It is the first to analyze how neighborhood characteristics influence renters’ decisions to move within the neighborhood as well as how these decisions are interrelated with their housing tenure transitions and race. Results demonstrate that homeownership rates have a significant, positive association with the probability that renters stay and/or purchase homes in the current neighborhood. Both the tenure composition of the housing stock and higher neighborhood satisfaction appear to be central in understanding this association. Results also suggest that nonblack renters are more likely to leave neighborhoods that experience growth in the percentage of the black population, while blacks are more likely to stay and purchase homes within such neighborhoods.
Childhood insulinoma masquerading as seizure disorder
Authors: Kao Kung‐Ting , Simm Peter J , Brown Justin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA 9 year old girl presented with seizures, weight gain and early morning behavioural changes. She had been commenced on anticonvulsants and was subsequently diagnosed with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. This case demonstrates the importance of blood glucose monitoring in children presenting with new‐onset seizures and/or with early morning or fasting behavioural changes, the challenges in localizing the lesion, as well as the difficulties in achieving normoglycaemia prior to, and immediately following, surgery.