bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of the mechanisms and effectiveness of dietary polyphenols in reducing oxidative stress and thrombotic risk
Authors: Santhakumar A. B. , Bulmer A. C. , Singh I. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDietary sources of polyphenols, which are derivatives and/or isomers of flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, catechins and phenolic acids, possess antioxidant properties and therefore might be important in preventing oxidative‐stress‐induced platelet activation and attenuating adverse haemostatic function. Free radicals, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, promote oxidative stress, leading to platelet hyperactivation and the risk of thrombosis. The consumption of antioxidant/polyphenol rich foods might therefore impart anti‐thrombotic and cardiovascular protective effects via their inhibition of platelet hyperactivation or aggregation. Most commonly‐used anti‐platelet drugs such as aspirin block the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 pathway of platelet activation, similar to the action of antioxidants with respect to neutralising hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), with a similar effect on thromboxane production via the COX‐1 pathway. Polyphenols also target various additional platelet activation pathways (e.g. by blocking platelet‐ADP, collagen receptors); thus alleviating fibrinogen binding to platelet surface (GPIIb‐IIIa) receptors, reducing further platelet recruitment for aggregation and inhibiting platelet degranulation. As a result of the ability of polyphenols to target additional pathways of platelet activation, they may have the potential to substitute or complement currently used anti‐platelet drugs in sedentary, obese, pre‐diabetic or diabetic populations who can be resistant or sensitive to pharmacological anti‐platelet therapy.
Relationship of body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in adults
Authors: Pal A. , De S. , Sengupta P. , Maity P. , Dhara P. C. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundObesity has been regarded as a single best predictor and major controllable contributor to hypertension. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in rural Bengalee adults.MethodsAnthropometric measures, blood pressure and nutritional parameters were measured in 522 rural Bengalee adults using standard protocols. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to identify cut‐off values of body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BF%) as associated factors of hypertension and hypotension.ResultsMost of the subjects were normotensive. However, a notable percentage had hypertension (males: 21.86%; females: 15.27%), although the prevalence of hypotension was low (males: 10.53%; females: 8.73%). Obesity indicators were significantly higher in hypertensive individuals than hypotensive and normotensive individuals. All anthropometric parameters and obesity indicators were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with blood pressure. Blood pressure increased steadily from being underweight through to normal and then to overweight/obese individuals. There were significant differences in the percentage of hypertension and hypotension between nutritional categories. Blood pressure had significant positive correlation with energy, carbohydrate and fat intake, whereas protein and calcium were negatively associated with blood pressure. The suggested cut‐off values of BMI and BF%, which were taken as associated factors of hypertension, were 21.86 kg m−2 and 20.31%, and those of hypotension were 18.18 kg m−2 and 13.3%, respectively.ConclusionsIn lean rural Bengalee populations, high BMI levels may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The cut‐off values of BMI and BF% in the present study suggested associated factors for cardiovacular risk factors and these values may be of help with respect to reducing mean population blood pressure levels.
Effects of green tea or green tea extract on insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in populations at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wang X. , Tian J. , Jiang J. , Li L. , Ying X. , Tian H. , Nie M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the regular consumption of green tea or green tea extract has been considered to improve insulin sensitivity, the reported results are inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of green tea or green tea extract on insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in populations at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsElectronic databases, including PUBMED, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Chinese Scientific Journals Fulltext Database, were systematically searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) up to December 2011, supplemented by the Clinicaltrials.gov websites and the reference lists of identified studies. Two reviewers independently selected trials, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological qualities and evidence levels.ResultsSeven RCTs involving 510 participants were identified. There was no statistically significant difference between green tea or green tea extract group and placebo group with regard to fasting plasma glucose [standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.15 to 0.24], fasting serum insulin (SMD −0.09; 95% CI −0.30 to 0.11), 2‐h plasma glucose in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT−2 h) (SMD −0.14; 95% CI −0.63 to 0.34), haemoglobin A1c (SMD 0.10; 95% CI −0.13 to 0.33) and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) index (SMD −0.06; 95% CI −0.35 to 0.23) in participants at risk of T2DM.ConclusionsThe consumption of green tea did not decrease the levels of fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, OGTT−2 h glucose, haemoglobin A1c and HOMAIR in populations at risk of T2DM. Larger, longer‐term and high‐quality RCTs are needed to further definitely determine the effect of green tea or green tea extract on insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in populations at risk of T2DM.
Misreporting of energy intake in the 2007 Australian Children's Survey: differences in the reporting of food types between plausible, under‐ and over‐reporters of energy intake
Authors: Rangan A. , Allman‐Farinelli M. , Donohoe E. , Gill T. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundMisreporting is common when collecting dietary intake data, although relatively little is known about the types of foods misreported among children. The present study aimed to identify differences in the reporting of food types between plausible and misreporters of energy intake in a national nutrition survey of Australian children.MethodsDietary data were collected using a 24‐h recall from 4826 children aged 2–16 years who were participating in the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Misreporters of energy intake were classified using the Goldberg criteria. Differences in the reporting of a range of food types were examined between plausible, under‐ and over‐reporters.ResultsCompared with plausible reporters, under‐reporters reported less frequent consumption and smaller quantities of consumption of both core and noncore foods. Older children (self‐report) under‐reported a larger selection of noncore foods than younger children (parental report). Over‐reporters reported similar percentages of consumption of many core and noncore foods, with some exceptions. The quantities consumed by over‐reporters were generally much larger and this was evident in younger and older children. Compared with plausible reporters, under‐reporters had significantly higher intakes of protein and starch but lower intakes of sugar and fat, as percentage energy, than plausible reporters, whereas over‐reporters had higher fat and lower carbohydrate intakes.ConclusionsDifferences in the reporting of food types were common between plausible, under‐ and over‐reporters of energy intake by children (or their parents) and were not restricted to noncore foods.
Modeling and Assessing Variability in Energy Consumption During the Use Stage of Online Multimedia Services
Authors: Schien Daniel , Shabajee Paul , Yearworth Mike , Preist Chris 
Published: November 2013

SummaryIn this study, we use an improved, more accurate model to analyze the energy footprint of content downloaded from a major online newspaper by means of various combinations of user devices and access networks. Our results indicate that previous analyses based on average figures for laptops or desktop personal computers predict national and global energy consumption values that are unrealistically high. Additionally, we identify the components that contribute most of the total energy consumption during the use stage of the life cycle of digital services. We find that, depending on the type of user device and access network employed, the data center where the news content originates consumes between 4% and 48% of the total energy consumption when news articles are read and between 2% and 11% when video content is viewed. Similarly, we find that user devices consume between 7% and 90% and 0.7% and 78% for articles and video content, respectively, depending on the type of user device and access network that is employed. Though increasing awareness of the energy consumption by data centers is justified, an analysis of our results shows that for individual users of the online newspaper we studied, energy use by user devices and the third‐generation (3G) mobile network are usually bigger contributors to the service footprint than the datacenters. Analysis of our results also shows that data transfer of video content has a significant energy use on the 3G mobile network, but less so elsewhere. Hence, a strategy of reducing the resolution of video would reduce the energy footprint for individual users who are using mobile devices to access content by the 3G network.
Considering Variations in Waste Composition during Waste Input‐Output Modeling
Authors: Li Jing , Lin Chen , Huang Shaoan 
Published: November 2013

SummaryConcentrations of pollutants vary in wastes from different sources. However, existing waste input‐output (WIO) models do not take these differing concentrations into account. This article proposes a new category of model, which we are calling a waste input‐output model at the substance level (WIOS model). The WIOS model considers variations in waste composition. These variations potentially affect the life cycle inventory of the waste treatment stage. The proposed model is expected to produce more accurate results than existing WIO models that do not consider variations in the composition of wastes. In addition, the proposed model provides a method to trace substances undergoing waste treatment. In this article, use of the WIOS model is illustrated by simulating the overall environmental loads of total organic carbon from wastewater treatment at a facility in Germany. The results show that variations in the composition of wastes entering treatment significantly affect the modeled estimates of total environmental loads caused by wastewater treatment. In addition, the results of the proposed model are different from results given by existing hybrid input‐output WIO models that do not consider variations in the composition of wastewater as it undergoes treatment.
Two splicing variants of a novel family of octopamine receptors with different signaling properties
Authors: Wu Shun‐Fan , Xu Gang , Qi Yi‐Xiang , Xia Ren‐Ying , Huang Jia , Ye Gong‐Yin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe octopamine and tyramine, as the invertebrate counterparts of the vertebrate adrenergic transmitters, control and modulate many physiological and behavioral processes. Both molecules mediate their effects by binding to specific receptors belonging to the superfamily of G‐protein‐coupled receptors. So far, four families of octopamine and tyramine receptors have been reported. Here, we described the functional characterization of one putative octopamine/tyramine receptor gene from the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. By a mechanism of alternative splicing, this receptor gene (CsOA3) encodes two molecularly distinct transcripts, CsOA3S and CsOA3L. CsOA3L differs from CsOA3S on account of the presence of an additional 30 amino acids within the third intracellular loop. When heterologously expressed, both receptors cause increases of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The short form, CsOA3S, was activated by both octopamine and tyramine, resulting in decreased intracellular cAMP levels ([cAMP]i) in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas dopamine and serotonin are not effective. However, CsOA3L did not show any impact on [cAMP]i. Studies with series of agonists and antagonists confirmed that CsOA3 has a different pharmacological profile from that of other octopamine receptor families. The CsOA3 is, to our knowledge, a novel family of insect octopamine receptors.
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Octopamine, the invertebrate counterpart of noradrenaline, modulates many physiological processes. Four families of octopamine/tyramine receptors have been reported. We found that a novel family of octopamine receptors, which encodes two transcripts by alternative splicing, couple with different second messenger pathways. It implicated that one octopamine receptor gene could play different functional roles by alternative splicing.
Chromogranin B: intra‐ and extra‐cellular mechanisms to regulate catecholamine storage and release, in catecholaminergic cells and organisms
Authors: Zhang Kuixing , Biswas Nilima , Gayen Jiaur R. , Miramontes‐Gonzalez Jose Pablo , Hightower C. Makena , Mustapic Maja , Mahata Manjula , Huang Chun‐Teng , Hook Vivian Y. , Mahata Sushil K. , Vaingankar Sucheta , O'Connor Daniel T. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractChromogranin B (CHGB) is the major matrix protein in human catecholamine storage vesicles. CHGB genetic variation alters catecholamine secretion and blood pressure. Here, effective Chgb protein under‐expression was achieved by siRNA in PC12 cells, resulting in ~ 48% fewer secretory granules on electron microscopy, diminished capacity for catecholamine uptake (by ~ 79%), and a ~ 73% decline in stores available for nicotinic cholinergic‐stimulated secretion. In vivo, loss of Chgb in knockout mice resulted in a ~ 35% decline in chromaffin granule abundance and ~ 44% decline in granule diameter, accompanied by unregulated catecholamine release into plasma. Over‐expression of CHGB was achieved by transduction of a CHGB‐expressing lentivirus, resulting in ~ 127% elevation in CHGB protein, with ~ 122% greater abundance of secretory granules, but only ~ 14% increased uptake of catecholamines, and no effect on nicotinic‐triggered secretion. Human CHGB protein and its proteolytic fragments inhibited nicotinic‐stimulated catecholamine release by ~ 72%. One conserved‐region CHGB peptide inhibited nicotinic‐triggered secretion by up to ~ 41%, with partial blockade of cationic signal transduction. We conclude that bi‐directional quantitative derangements in CHGB abundance result in profound changes in vesicular storage and release of catecholamines. When processed and released extra‐cellularly, CHGB proteolytic fragments exert a feedback effect to inhibit catecholamine secretion, especially during nicotinic cholinergic stimulation.
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Here, we show reciprocal actions of Chromogranin B (CHGB) on catecholamine storage (stimulation) and release (inhibition). The figure synthesizes consequences of experimental results. Within chromaffin cells, CHGB participates in assembly of catecholamine secretory vesicles, and governs their secretory capacity under nicotinic stimulation. After cleavage and release into the extracellular space, CHGB [and its peptide hCHGB[60–67](KFEVRLLR)] exerts negative feedback effects to inhibit the secretory response to acetylcholine (ACh).
Investigating the sexual function and its associated factors in women with chronic illnesses
Authors: Mollaoğlu Mukadder , Tuncay Fatma Özkan , Fertelli Tülay K 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate sexual dysfunction and the factors that affect sexual dysfunction in women with chronic disease.BackgroundSexual dysfunction is one of the most common problems in women with chronic disease. There is limited understanding of the related factors of sexual dysfunction in women with chronic disease, with research currently limited to other problems and problems related to chronic diseases.DesignThis research was conducted as a descriptive survey.MethodsThis study involved 100 female inpatients at clinics of internal medicine of a university hospital. Data were collected with a patients identification form and a female sexual function index (KCFI). Kruskal–Wallis test, test of significance of difference between two means and test of significance of difference between two pairs were used in the data analysis.ResultsSixty‐five percentage of women in the sample were defined to have sexual dysfunction. The majority of women expressed pain during sexual intercourse, problems in orgasm and satisfaction, and reluctance to have sex. Older age, being unemployed, being in menopause, fatigue, sleep disorder, and pain and weakness in extremities were the factors that were found to significantly affect the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (p < 0·05).ConclusionsThis study concluded that sexual function of women with chronic disease is affected negatively. Chronic disease–related symptoms, experienced changes in the body and psychosocial problems are changing the lives of women. Ultimately, these changes also affect sexual activity.Relevance to clinical practiceDetermination of the factors affecting sexual activity in women with chronic disease is important for women' ability to cope with sexual dysfunction and keep it under control. To be able to accomplish this, it is necessary for healthcare personnel, the partners and family to work together.
How does the mining industry contribute to sexual and reproductive health in developing countries? A narrative synthesis of current evidence to inform practice
Authors: Dawson Angela J , Homer Caroline S 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore client and provider experiences and related health outcomes of sexual and reproductive health interventions that have been led by or that have involved mining companies.BackgroundMiners, and those living in communities surrounding mines in developing countries, are a vulnerable population with a high sexual and reproductive health burden. People in these communities require specific healthcare services although the exact delivery needs are unclear. There are no systematic reviews of evidence to guide delivery of sexual and reproductive health interventions to best address the needs of men and women in mining communities.DesignA narrative synthesis.MethodsA search of peer‐reviewed literature from 2000–2012 was undertaken with retrieved documents assessed using an inclusion/exclusion criterion and quality appraisal guided by critical assessment tools. Concepts were analysed thematically.ResultsA desire for HIV testing and treatment was associated with the recognition of personal vulnerability, but this was affected by fear of stigma. Regular on‐site services facilitated access to voluntary counselling and testing and HIV care, but concerns for confidentiality were a serious barrier. The provision of HIV and sexually transmitted infection clinical and promotive services revealed mixed health outcomes. Recommended service improvements included rapid HIV testing, the integration of sexual and reproductive health into regular health services also available to family members and culturally competent, ethical, providers who are better supported to involve consumers in health promotion.ConclusionThere is a need for research to better inform health interventions so that they build on local cultural norms and values and address social needs. A holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health beyond a focus on HIV may better engage community members, mining companies and governments in healthcare delivery.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses may require appropriate workplace support and incentives to deliver sexual and reproductive health interventions in developing mining contexts where task shifting exists.
Let's talk about sex: lower limb amputation, sexual functioning and sexual well‐being: a qualitative study of the partner's perspective
Authors: Verschuren Jesse EA , Zhdanova Mariya A , Geertzen Jan HB , Enzlin Paul , Dijkstra Pieter U , Dekker Rienk 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo describe the impact of patients’ lower limb amputations on their partners’ sexual functioning and well‐being.BackgroundAnnually, about 3300 major lower limb amputations are performed in the Netherlands. An amputation may induce limitations in performing marital activities, including expression of sexual feelings between partners. However, up until now, little attention has been paid towards this aspect in both research and clinical practice. The lack of studies on sexual activities and lower limb amputation is even more apparent with respect to partners of patients with such an amputation. Previous studies have shown, however, that the presence of a disease or disability may have a large impact not only on the patient's but also on the partner's sexual activities.DesignQualitative thematic analysis.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews. The questions used in the interview were inspired by a generic framework about chronic disease and sexual functioning and well‐being. In total, 16 partners of patients with a lower limb amputation who were at least 18 years old were recruited in different rehabilitation centres.ResultsSeven major themes (i.e. importance of sexuality, thoughts about sexuality before the amputation, changes in sexual functioning and sexual well‐being, amputation as the main cause of these changes, acceptance of the amputation, role confusion and communication about sexuality) were derived from the interviews. Minor changes in sexual functioning and sexual well‐being were reported by the participants. Problems participants did encounter were solved by the couples themselves. For some participants, their sexual well‐being improved after the amputation.Conclusion and relevance to clinical practiceParticipants in our study reported minor changes in their sexual well‐being. Most of them indicated that communication about the changes expected and how to cope with these would have been helpful. It is therefore important that professionals address sexuality during the rehabilitation process with patients and partners.