bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential of novel dextran oligosaccharides as prebiotics for obesity management throughin vitroexperimentation
Authors: Sarbini Shahrul R. , Kolida Sofia , Deaville Eddie R. , Gibson Glenn R. , Rastall Robert A. 
Published: September 2014

The energy-salvaging capacity of the gut microbiota from dietary ingredients has been proposed as a contributing factor for the development of obesity. This knowledge generated interest in the use of non-digestible dietary ingredients such as prebiotics to manipulate host energy homeostasis. In the present study, thein vitroresponse of obese human faecal microbiota to novel oligosaccharides was investigated. Dextrans of various molecular weights and degrees of branching were fermented with the faecal microbiota of healthy obese adults in pH-controlled batch cultures. Changes in bacterial populations were monitored using fluorescentin situhybridisation and SCFA concentrations were analysed by HPLC. The rate of gas production and total volume of gas produced were also determined. In general, the novel dextrans and inulin increased the counts of bifidobacteria. Some of the dextrans were able to alter the composition of the obese human microbiota by increasing the counts ofBacteroides–Prevotellaand decreasing those ofFaecalibacterium prausnitziiandRuminococcus bromii/R. flavefaciens. Considerable increases in SCFA concentrations were observed in response to all substrates. Gas production rates were similar during the fermentation of all dextrans, but significantly lower than those during the fermentation of inulin. Lower total gas production and shorter time to attain maximal gas production were observed during the fermentation of the linear 1 kDa dextran than during the fermentation of the other dextrans. The efficacy of bifidobacteria to ferment dextrans relied on the molecular weight and not on the degree of branching. In conclusion, there are no differences in the profiles between the obese and lean human faecal fermentations of dextrans.
The use of energy drinks in sport: perceived ergogenicity and side effects in male and female athletes
Authors: Salinero Juan J. , Lara Beatriz , Abian-Vicen Javier , Gonzalez-Millán Cristina , Areces Francisco , Gallo-Salazar César , Ruiz-Vicente Diana , Del Coso Juan 
Published: September 2014

The use of caffeine containing energy drinks has dramatically increased in the last few years, especially in the sport context because of its reported ergogenic effect. The ingestion of low to moderate doses of caffeinated energy drinks has been associated with adverse side effects such as insomnia or increased nervousness. The aim of the present study was to assess psycho-physiological changes and the prevalence of side effects resulting from the ingestion of 3 mg caffeine/kg body mass in the form of an energy drink. In a double-blind and placebo controlled experimental design, ninety experienced and low-caffeine-consuming athletes (fifty-three male and thirty-seven female) in two different sessions were provided with an energy drink that contained 3 mg/kg of caffeine or the same decaffeinated energy drink (placebo; 0 mg/kg). At 60 min after the ingestion of the energy drink, participants completed a training session. The effects of ingestion of these beverages on psycho-physiological variables during exercise and the rate of adverse side effects were measured using questionnaires. The caffeinated energy drink increased self-perceived muscle power during exercise compared with the placebo beverage (6·41 (sd1·7)v.5·66 (sd1·51);P= 0·001). Moreover, the energy drink produced a higher prevalence of side effects such as insomnia (31·2v.10·4 %;P< 0·001), nervousness (13·2v.0 %;P= 0·002) and activeness (16·9v.3·9 %;P= 0·007) than the placebo energy drink. There were no sex differences in the incidence of side effects (P>0·05). The ingestion of an energy drink with 3 mg/kg of caffeine increased the prevalence of side effects. The presence of these side effects was similar between male and female participants.
Deviations from Norms and Informed Trading
Authors: Kumar Alok , Page Jeremy K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractInvestment managers are subject to personal and institutional norms that can constrain their investment choices. We conjecture that norm-constrained investors deviate from such norms only when they have compelling information, and we predict that deviating investments earn relatively high abnormal returns ex post. Consistent with our conjecture, we find that institutions averse to holding lottery-like stocks or sin stocks earn relatively high abnormal returns when they choose to hold such stocks. We find similar but weaker results for deviations from broader style categories. Overall, our evidence indicates that deviations from established institutional or social norms signal informed investing.
Stakeholder prioritization of zoonoses in Japan with analytic hierarchy process method
Authors: KADOHIRA M. , HILL G. , YOSHIZAKI R. , OTA S. , YOSHIKAWA Y. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYThere exists an urgent need to develop iterative risk assessment strategies of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study is to develop a method of prioritizing 98 zoonoses derived from animal pathogens in Japan and to involve four major groups of stakeholders: researchers, physicians, public health officials, and citizens. We used a combination of risk profiling and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Profiling risk was accomplished with semi-quantitative analysis of existing public health data. AHP data collection was performed by administering questionnaires to the four stakeholder groups. Results showed that researchers and public health officials focused on case fatality as the chief important factor, while physicians and citizens placed more weight on diagnosis and prevention, respectively. Most of the six top-ranked diseases were similar among all stakeholders. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and Ebola fever were ranked first, second, and third, respectively.
Risk factors for sporadic Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliO157 and non-O157 illness in The Netherlands, 2008–2012, using periodically surveyed controls
Authors: FRIESEMA I. H. M. , SCHOTSBORG M. , HECK M. E. O. C. , VAN PELT W. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYShiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) infections have been associated with severe illness. Ruminants are seen as the main reservoir and the major transmission route is considered to be foodborne. In The Netherlands, a case-control study was conducted, using data collected during 2008–2012. Patients were interviewed and controls completed a self-administered questionnaire. Patients travelling abroad were excluded from the analyses. STEC O157 and non-O157 were examined separately and differentiated into two age groups (<10 years, ⩾10 years). We included 130 O157 cases, 78 non-O157 cases and 1563 controls. In both age groups of O157 patients, raw spreadable sausage was the main risk factor for infection. For STEC non-O157 cases aged <10 years, contact with farm animals was the main risk factor and in non-O157 cases aged ⩾10 years, consumption of beef was the main risk factor. During 2008–2012, risk factors for STEC infections in the Dutch population differed between age groups and serogroup categories, and were related to eating meat and contact with farm animals. Advising the public about the risks of consuming raw or undercooked meat (products) and hygiene habits in case of contact with farm animals, could help in the prevention of STEC infections.
Re-Emerging Technologies: What's Hot and What's Not!
Authors: Mullan James 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThree years ago James Mullan delivered a presentation called “Emerging technologies” and followed this up with an article in Legal Information Management (LIM) called “Making mountains out of molehills: a look at some emerging technologies”1 Two years further on and the Editor of LIM asked him to re-visit the issues and to write a follow-up article on the subject. As a result this paper looks at the current state of play with those technologies and identifies some of the significant technological developments to have taken place since his original article.
Protein co-translocational unfolding depends on the direction of pulling
Authors: Rodriguez-Larrea David , Bayley Hagan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractProtein unfolding and translocation through pores occurs during trafficking between organelles, protein degradation and bacterial toxin delivery. In vivo, co-translocational unfolding can be affected by the end of the polypeptide that is threaded into the pore first. Recently, we have shown that co-translocational unfolding can be followed in a model system at the single-molecule level, thereby unravelling molecular steps and their kinetics. Here, we show that the unfolding kinetics of the model substrate thioredoxin, when pulled through an α-haemolysin pore, differ markedly depending on whether the process is initiated from the C terminus or the N terminus. Further, when thioredoxin is pulled from the N terminus, the unfolding pathway bifurcates: some molecules finish unfolding quickly, while others finish ~100 times slower. Our findings have important implications for the understanding of biological unfolding mechanisms and in the application of nanopore technology for the detection of proteins and their modifications.
13 mW 80 GHz down‐conversion mixer with 1.5 dB gain and 49.2 dB LO–RF isolation
Authors: Lin Y.S. , Li G.H. 
Published: September 2014

An 80 GHz double‐balanced down‐conversion mixer for automotive radars using standard 90 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology is reported. The mixer comprises a double‐balanced Gilbert cell with inductive source‐degeneration radio‐frequency (RF) transconductance stage for wideband RF‐port input impedance matching and conversion gain (CG) enhancement, a Marchand balun for converting the single RF input signal to differential signal, a Marchand balun for converting the single local oscillator (LO) input signal to differential signal and a baseband amplifier. The mixer consumes 13 mW and achieves excellent RF‐port input reflection coefficient of −13.1 ∼ −19.4 dB and LO‐port input reflection coefficient of −9.1 ∼ −11.8 dB for frequencies in the range 75–85 GHz. In addition, for frequencies of 75–85 GHz, the mixer achieves CG of −1 ∼1.5 dB, LO–RF isolation of 43.5–49.2 dB and LO–intermediate frequency (IF) isolation of 56.5–64.5 dB, one of the best CG and port‐to‐port isolation results ever reported for a CMOS down‐conversion mixer with operation frequency about 80 GHz.
InGaZnO metal‐base transistor with high current gain
Authors: Huang H.Y. , Wang S.J. , Hung C.H. , Wu C.H. , Lin W.C. 
Published: September 2014

The fabrication of metal‐base transistors (MBTs) based on InGaZnO at room temperature is reported for the first time. With a suitable oxygen doping to the sputtering‐deposited InGaZnO film and an HfSiO interlayer, improved diode performances with enhanced Schottky barrier heights of 0.70 and 0.66 eV are obtained for the base/collector (Ti/InGaZnO) and base/emitter (Au/HfSiO/InGaZnO) junctions, respectively. InGaZnO MBT using a Ti(10 nm)/Au(10 m)/HfSiO(5 nm) dual metal base shows a high common‐emitter current gain (β) 840–310 at VCE = 2 V and IB ranging from 1 to 10 nA.
Eavesdropping near‐field contactless payments: a quantitative analysis
Authors: Diakos Thomas P. , Briffa Johann A. , Brown Tim W. C. , Wesemeyer Stephan 
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an assessment of how successful an eavesdropping attack on a contactless payment transaction can be in terms of bit and frame error rates, using an easily concealable antenna and low‐cost electronics. Potential success of an eavesdropping attack largely depends on the correct recovery of the data frames used in the ISO 14443 standard. A near‐field communication inductive loop antenna was used to emulate an ISO 14443 transmission. For eavesdropping, an identical inductive loop antenna as well as a shopping trolley modified to act like an antenna were used. The authors present and analyse frame error rates obtained with the authors equipment over a range of distances, up to 100 cm, well above the official maximum operating distance depending on the magnetic field strength.
Effect of Holder Pasteurisation on Human Milk Glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Coscia Alessandra , Peila Chiara , Bertino Enrico , Coppa Giovanni V. , Moro Guido E. , Gabrielli Orazio , Zampini Lucia , Galeazzi Tiziana , Maccari Francesca , Volpi Nicola 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:The benefits of human milk for preterm infants are mainly the result of its nutritional characteristics and the presence of biologically active compounds. Among these compounds, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play an emerging leading role. When mother's milk is unavailable or in short supply, pasteurised donor milk represents an important nutritional alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Holder pasteurisation on the concentration of different GAGs in preterm human milk.Methods:Milk samples collected from 9 mothers having delivered preterm were divided into 2 parts. One part of each sample was immediately frozen (−80°C), whereas the other part was pasteurised with the Holder method before being frozen at −80°C. Specific analytical procedures were applied to evaluate the amount, composition, and structure of main human milk GAGs.Results:No significative differences were measured between not‐treated and pasteurised samples for total GAGs content, relative percentages of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, and main parameters related to galactosaminoglycans structure, even if a slight decrease of total GAGs content of ∼18% was observed in treated samples.Conclusions:Our results indicate that the Holder pasteurisation does not significatively affect the concentration of the main human milk GAGs.
Effect of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of the threatened coniferous species Fokienia hodginsii
Authors: Nguyen Duc Quang , Phan Thi Phuong Hoa , Dao Van Tan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe report the effects of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of Fokienia hodginsii. Lower mean germination was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (6.41 ± 1.23 seeds/replicate) compared with those stored for 1 year (8.52 ± 1.06 seeds/replicate). Seeds collected from a southern location had statistically higher mean germination (9.67 ± 1.28 seeds/replicate) than those collected from a northern location (7.99 ± 1.36 seeds/replicate). Higher mean T50 was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (37.02 ± 4.43 days) compared with those stored for 1 year (30.69 ± 5.06 days). Mean germination of untreated fresh seeds was 9.97 ± 1.34 seeds/replicate and that of treated fresh seeds in 60°C water was 12.95 ± 1.24 seeds/replicate. Fresh seeds treated with 50°C and 70°C water had a significantly lower mean germination compared with untreated seeds and seeds treated in 60°C water. Mean T50 was lowest in seeds treated with 60°C water.
Access and affordability of nutritious food in metropolitan Melbourne
Authors: Rossimel Adam , Han Sun S. , Larsen Kirsten , Palermo Claire 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe cost of food is a key determinant of food choice. Little is known about the cost of food in metropolitan areas. The present study aimed to determine access to healthy food across Melbourne, Australia.MethodsA random sample of 22 out of 31 local government areas was selected for inclusion in the study and one census collection district was chosen for analysis. The cost of a healthy food basket and basket of fruits and vegetables was assessed in a sample of supermarkets and green grocers. A ratio of healthy (supermarkets and grocery stores) to unhealthy (fast food and takeaway outlets) food stores was calculated.ResultsThe median cost of a healthy food basket across 68 supermarkets for a family of four was not significantly different across suburbs ($456.27, 20.07). Families in inner city use less of their income on the basket (15%) compared to middle and outer suburbs (19%, P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). The median price of a sample of fruits and vegetables across 24 green grocers was significantly cheaper than supermarkets (P = 0.01). Accessibility to healthy food decreased significantly between inner (ratio = 3.4), middle (ratio = 2.5) and outer suburbs (ratio = 0.91).ConclusionsThose living in outer suburbs may have poorer access to healthy food. Ensuring more affordable, accessible healthy food is available for those living in outer suburban areas may improve nutrition outcomes.
Anatomical Variations of the Blood Vascular System in Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Avedillo L. , Martín‐Alguacil N. , Salazar I. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryTraditional veterinary anatomical models describe the branches of the caudal gluteal artery as the iliolumbar, cranial gluteal, lateral caudal, satellite of the ischiatic nerve and dorsal perineal arteries. However, some classical veterinary anatomy textbooks often indicate variations the general organization of the arterial tree, without giving any pattern of origin or illustrations of the different branching. The aim of this study was to investigate the presumptive variability of the caudal gluteal artery. Two hundred and thirty‐two pelvic halves from 116 adult dogs were examined. Twelve anatomical variations were found, nine occurring in more than 5% of the dogs, and three in <5%. A ‘long‐type’ internal iliac artery, which means short caudal gluteal and internal pudendal arteries, was identified, while a ‘perineal trunk’ was observed as an interesting arterial variation. If the caudal segment alone is taken into consideration, identical vascular patterns in both hemi‐pelvises are found in 17% of the dogs. Significant statistical correlation was found for four different types of anatomic variations and gender, two types of variations and body size, one type of variation for body side and one type of variation for head shape.
Expression of LIN28 and its regulatory microRNAs in adult adrenocortical cancer
Authors: Faria André M. , Sbiera Silviu , Ribeiro Tamaya C. , Soares Iberê C. , Mariani Beatriz M.P. , Freire Daniel S. , de Sousa Gabriela R.V. , Lerario Antônio M. , Ronchi Cristina L. , Deutschbein Timo , Wakamatsu Alda , Alves Venancio A.F. , Zerbini Maria Claudia N. , Mendonca Berenice B. , Fragoso Maria Candida B.V. , Latronico Ana Claudia , Fassnacht Martin , Almeida Madson Q. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryObjectiveLIN28 control cells reprogramming and pluripotency mainly through miRNA regulation and has been overexpressed in many advanced cancers. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic role of LIN28 and its regulatory miRNAs in a large cohort of adrenocortical tumours (ACTs).Patients and methodsLIN28 protein expression was assessed in 266 adults ACTs (78 adenomas and 188 carcinomas) from Brazil and Germany. LIN28A and LIN28B gene expression was analysed in 59 ACTs (31 adenomas and 28 carcinomas) and copy number variation in 39 ACTs. In addition, we determined the expression of let‐7 family, mir‐9, mir‐30 and mir‐125 in 28 carcinomas.ResultsLIN28A gene was overexpressed in aggressive ACCs when compared with adenomas and nonaggressive ACCs, but no LIN28A copy number variation was found in ACTs. Unexpectedly, weak LIN28 protein expression was significantly associated with reduced disease‐free survival in ACC patients (P = 0·01), but for overall survival only a trend was detectable (P = 0·117). In the multivariate analysis, only Ki67 index ≥10% (HR 4·6, P = 0·000) and weak LIN28 protein expression (HR 2·0, P = 0·03) were independent predictors of recurrence in ACC patients. Interestingly, mir‐9 expression, a negative LIN28A/B regulator, was significantly higher in aggressive than in nonaggressive ACCs [2076 (from 36 to 9307) vs 133·4 (from 2·4 to 5193); P = 0·011] and was highly associated with reduced overall (P = 0·01) and disease‐free survival (P = 0·01). However, mir‐9 prognostic role should be further evaluated in a larger cohort.ConclusionWeak LIN28 protein expression was associated with recurrence in ACCs. Additionally, overexpression of mir‐9, a negative LIN28A regulator, was associated with poor outcome.
Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization for haemorrhoids: results from a multicentre trial
Authors: Ratto C. , Parello A. , Veronese E. , Cudazzo E. , D'Agostino E. , Pagano C. , Cavazzoni E. , Brugnano L. , Litta F. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThis multicentre study, based on the largest patient population ever published, aims to evaluate the efficacy of Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD Doppler) in the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids and to identify the factors predicting failure for an effective mid‐term outcome.MethodEight hundred and three patients affected by Grade II (137, 17.1%), III (548, 68.2%) and IV (118, 14.7%) symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease underwent THD Doppler, with a rectal mucopexy in patients with haemorrhoidal prolapse. The disease was assessed through a specifically designed symptom questionnaire and scoring system. A uni‐ and multivariate analyses of the potential predictive factors for failure were performed.ResultsThe morbidity rate was 18.0%, represented mainly by pain or tenesmus (106 patients, 13.0%). Acute bleeding requiring surgical haemostasis occurred in seven patients (0.9%). No serious or life‐threatening complications occurred. After a mean follow‐up period of 11.1 ± 9.2 months, the overall success rate was 90.7% (728 patients), with a recurrence of haemorrhoidal prolapse, bleeding, and both symptoms in 51 (6.3%), 19 (2.4%) and 5 (0.6%) patients, respectively. Sixteen out of 47 patients undergoing re‐operation had a conventional haemorrhoidectomy. All the symptoms were significantly improved in each domain of the score (P < 0.0001). At multivariate analysis the absence of morbidity and performance of a distal Doppler‐guided dearterialization were associated with a better outcome.ConclusionTHD Doppler is a safe and effective therapy for haemorrhoidal disease. If this technique is to be employed, an accurate distal Doppler‐guided dearterialization and a tailored mucopexy are mandatory to contain and reduce the symptoms.
Ten‐Eleven‐Translocation 2 (TET2) is downregulated in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Scopim‐Ribeiro Renata , Machado‐Neto João Agostinho , Campos Paula de Melo , Silva Cleide Aparecida Moreira , Favaro Patricia , Lorand‐Metze Irene , Costa Fernando Ferreira , Saad Sara Teresinha Olalla , Traina Fabiola 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTET2, a member of the ten‐eleven‐translocation (TET) family genes that modify DNA by converting 5‐methylcytosine (5‐mC) to 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmC), is located in chromosome 4q24 and is frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies. The impact of TET2 mutation on survival outcomes is still controversial; however, functional studies have proved that it is a loss‐of‐function mutation that impairs myeloid cell differentiation and contributes to the phenotype of myeloid neoplasia. We, herein, aimed to investigate TET2 expression in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A significantly decreased TET2 expression was observed in bone marrow cells from AML (n = 53) and patients with MDS (n = 64), compared to normal donors (n = 22). In MDS, TET2 expression was significantly reduced in RAEB‐1/RAEB‐2 compared to other WHO 2008 classifications, and a lower TET2 expression was observed at the time of MDS disease progression in four of five patients. In multivariate analysis, low TET2 expression (P = 0.03), male gender (P = 0.02), and WHO 2008 classification (P < 0.0001) were independent predictors of poorer overall survival. These results suggest that defective TET2 expression plays a role in the MDS pathophysiology and predicts survival outcomes in this disease.