bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploration and comparison of food and drink availability in homes in a sample of families of White and Pakistani origin within the UK
Authors: Bryant Maria , Sahota Pinki , Santorelli Gillian , Hill Andrew 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveKnowledge of the types and quantities of foods and drinks available in family homes supports the development of targeted intervention programmes for obesity prevention or management, or for overall diet improvement. In the UK, contemporary data on foods that are available within family homes are lacking. The present study aimed to explore home food and drink availability in UK homes.DesignAn exploratory study using researcher-conducted home food availability inventories, measuring all foods and drinks within the categories of fruits, vegetables, snack foods and beverages.SettingBradford, a town in the north of the UK.SubjectsOpportunistic sample of mixed ethnicity families with infants approximately 18 months old from the Born in Bradford birth cohort.ResultsAll homes had at least one type of fruit, vegetable and snack available. Fresh fruits commonly available were oranges, bananas, apples, satsumas and grapes. Commonly available fresh vegetables included potatoes, cucumber, tomatoes and carrots. The single greatest non-fresh fruit available in homes was raisins. Non-fresh vegetables contributing the most were frozen mixed vegetables, tinned tomatoes and tinned peas. Ethnic differences were found for the availability of fresh fruits and sugar-sweetened beverages, which were both found in higher amounts in Pakistani homes compared with White homes.ConclusionsThese data contribute to international data on availability and provide an insight into food availability within family homes in the UK. They have also supported a needs assessment of the development of a culturally specific obesity prevention intervention in which fruits and vegetables and sugar-sweetened beverages are targeted.
Is obesity associated with iron status in the elderly? A case study from Sharpeville, South Africa
Authors: Oldewage-Theron Wilna H , Egal Abdulkadir A , Grobler Christa J 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between poor Fe status and overweight or obesity in elderly respondents in South Africa.DesignCross-sectional, observational baseline survey.SettingSharpeville, South Africa.SubjectsA sample size calculation determined a representative sample of 104 randomly selected elderly (≥60 years) respondents. Measurements included weight, height, biochemical and haematological parameters. Measured BMI was used to categorise the respondents into normal weight, overweight and obese groups.ResultsThe majority of the women were overweight (28·4 %) or obese (54·6 %); 58 % of the respondents had normal Fe status, 15 % were classified as Fe depleted, 9 % as Fe deficient and 13 % as Fe-deficient anaemic. Ten per cent of the respondents had low Hb levels with no other low Fe status parameters, and were thus anaemic due to other causes. A significant correlation (r= 0·318,P< 0·001) existed between BMI and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). hs-CRP was negatively correlated to serum Fe levels (r= −0·319,P< 0·001). No significant relationships existed between BMI and Fe status parameters.ConclusionsA coexistence of obesity and poor Fe status were observed in these elderly respondents. The positive relationship between hs-CRP and BMI indicated chronic inflammation in the higher BMI groups. The negative relationship between hs-CRP and serum Fe indicated that lower serum Fe levels were related to the inflammation linked with higher BMI. A relationship between obesity-related chronic, low-grade inflammation and poor Fe status has been found in adults, but the significance of the current study is that this relationship was also confirmed for elderly persons.
Is Localized Infrared Spectroscopy Now Possible in the Electron Microscope?
Authors: Rez Peter 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe recently developed in-column monochromators make it possible to record energy-c spectra with resolutions better than 30 meV from nanometer-sized regions. It should therefore in principle be possible to detect localized vibrational excitations. The scattering geometry in the electron microscope means that bond stretching in the specimen plane or longitudinal optic phonons dominate the scattering. Most promising for initial studies are vibrations with energies between 300 and 400 meV from hydrogen bonded to other atoms. Estimates of the scattering cross-sections on the basis of a simple model show that they are about the same as inner shell scattering cross-sections. Cross-sections also increase with charge transfer between the atoms, and theory incorporating realistic charge distributions shows that signal/noise is the only limitation to high-resolution imaging. Given the magnitude of the scattering cross-sections, minimizing the tail of the zero-loss peak is just as important as achieving a small-width at half-maximum. Improvements in both resolution and controlling the zero-loss tail will be necessary before it is practical to detect optic phonons in solids between 40 and 60 meV.
Caregiver burden in end-of-life care: Advanced cancer and final stage of dementia
Authors: Costa-Requena Gema , Espinosa Val MaCarmen , Cristòfol Ramon 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjective:Considering two advanced illnesses, cancer and end-stage dementia, the aim of this study was to describe the symptoms of caregiver psychological distress and burden.Method:In this cross-sectional study, regression analyses were calculated to explain the influence of psychological distress in caregiver burden. A t test was employed to compare differences between the symptoms of caregiver burden.Results:The percentage of psychological distress was similar between caregivers of cancer patients (77.6%) and caregivers of dementia patients (72.4%). In the regression analysis, cancer caregiver distress accounted for 27.9% of the variance in symptoms of burden, while dementia caregiver distress accounted for 24.4% of the variance in symptoms of burden. No significant differences were revealed when comparing caregiver burden symptoms between caregivers of the two advanced illnesses (t = 0.06; p = 0.94).Significance of Results:In end-of-life care for patients with dementia, due to significant levels of caregiver distress and burden symptoms, there is a need to support caregivers in the same way as is done for caregivers of cancer patients.
Proteinase-activated Receptor 1 Contributed to Up-regulation of Enkephalin in Keratinocytes of Patients with Obstructive Jaundice
Authors: Tao Kun-Ming , Tao Yong , Chen Cai-Yang , Yang Li-Qun , Lu Zhi-Jie , Sun Yu-Ming , Huang Sheng-Dong , Yu Wei-Feng 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background:
Skin synthesis of endogenous opioids such as enkephalin is considered to be increased in cholestatic rodents, which may induce antinociception in cholestatic liver disease. No studies have reported yet the expression of skin enkephalin in patients with cholestasis.

Methods:
Electrical pain threshold, postoperative morphine consumption, and skin enkephalin expression were measured in patients with jaundice (n = 18) and control patients (n = 16). Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 52) and human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT were used in vivo and in vitro studies, respectively. Nociceptive thresholds and plasma and skin levels of methionine-enkephalin were compared in protease-activated receptors-1–antagonized and control bile duct–ligated rats. In in vitro study, the effect on thrombin-induced enkephalin expression was examined and the role of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 and p38 was investigated.

Results:
The authors found that: (1) the electrical pain threshold (mean ± SD) was 1.1 ± 0.1 mA in control patients, whereas it was significantly increased in patients with jaundice (1.7 ± 0.3 mA); 48-h postoperative morphine consumption was approximately 50% higher in the control group than that in the group with jaundice; (2) Skin keratinocytes enkephalin expression was increased in the patients with jaundice; (3) Protease-activated receptors-1 antagonist 1 μg·kg−1·day−1 treatment to the bile duct–ligated rats significantly reduced plasma levels of methionine-enkephalin, nociceptive thresholds, and keratinocytes enkephalin expression; and (4) protease-activated receptors-1 activation induced enkephalin expression through phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 and p38 in keratinocytes.

Conclusion:
Protease-activated receptors-1 activation in peripheral keratinocytes may play an important role in the local synthesis of enkephalin during cholestasis.
Artificial light puts ecosystem services of frugivorous bats at risk
Authors: Lewanzik Daniel , Voigt Christian C. 
Published: March 2014

Summary

Currently, tropical forests are transformed into pasture and agricultural areas at an unprecedented rate, yet converted areas are often abandoned by farmers because depleting soil fertility renders unprofitable any agricultural land use. Natural succession of abandoned land could counter the loss of biodiversity, but the rate of natural reforestation is slow.

Neotropical frugivorous bats facilitate natural succession because they seem to tolerate habitat disturbance when dispersing seeds of pioneer plants. Under naturally dark conditions, bats produce a copious seed rain even in deforested habitats and connect distant forest fragments. Yet, artificial light at night may compromise bat‐mediated seed dispersal if bats avoid lit areas. This may delay or jeopardize natural forest succession in fragmented tropical landscapes.

We asked whether the foraging behaviour of Sowell's short‐tailed bats Carollia sowelli, a specialist on infructescences of pepper plants (Piperaceae), is negatively affected by artificial light at night.

First, in a dual choice experiment with captive bats, we demonstrate that food was less often explored and consumed in the dimly illuminated than in the dark compartment, indicating that artificial light alters the foraging behaviour of fruit‐eating bats. Secondly, using observations in free‐ranging bats, we found that infructescences were less likely to be harvested when plants were illuminated by a street lamp than under natural darkness.

Synthesis and applications. Natural succession of deforested areas and connectivity of remaining forest patches may suffer due to artificial light at night through a reduction in nocturnal seed disperser activity in lit areas. This could have negative impacts on biodiversity and consequent effects on land erosion, particularly in developing countries of the tropics where light pollution increases rapidly with growing economies and human populations. Mitigation requires that the use of artificial light should be limited in space, time and intensity to the minimum necessary. The effectiveness of ‘darkness corridors’ to enhance fragment connectivity and to reduce species loss should be evaluated. Policy‐makers of tropical countries should become aware of the potential detrimental effects of artificial lighting on wildlife and ecosystem functioning.
Simple individual‐based models effectively represent Afrotropical forest bird movement in complex landscapes
Authors: Aben Job , Strubbe Diederik , Adriaensen Frank , Palmer Stephen C. F. , Travis Justin M. J. , Lens Luc , Matthysen Erik 
Published: March 2014

Summary

Reliable estimates of dispersal rates between habitat patches (i.e. functional connectivity) are critical for predicting long‐term effects of habitat fragmentation on population persistence. Connectivity measures are frequently derived from least cost path or graph‐based approaches, despite the fact that these methods make biologically unrealistic assumptions. Individual‐based models (IBMs) have been proposed as an alternative as they allow modelling movement behaviour in response to landscape resistance. However, IBMs typically require excessive data to be useful for management. Here, we test the extent to which an IBM requiring only an uncomplicated set of movement rules [the ‘stochastic movement simulator’ (SMS)] can predict animal movement behaviour in real‐world landscapes.

Movement behaviour of two forest birds, the Cabanis's greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi (a forest specialist) and the white‐starred robin Pogonocichla stellata (a habitat generalist), across an Afrotropical matrix was simulated using SMS. Predictions from SMS were evaluated against a set of detailed movement paths collected by radiotracking homing individuals.

SMS was capable of generating credible predictions of bird movement, although simulations were sensitive to the cost values and the movement rules specified. Model performance was generally highest when movement was simulated across low‐contrasting cost surfaces and when virtual individuals were assigned low directional persistence and limited perceptual range.

SMS better predicted movements of the habitat specialist than the habitat generalist, which highlights its potential to model functional connectivity when species movements are affected by the matrix.

Synthesis and applications. Modelling the dispersal process with greater biological realism is likely to be critical for improving our predictive capability regarding functional connectivity and population persistence. For more realistic models to be widely applied, it is vital that their application is not overly complicated or data demanding. Here, we show that given relatively basic understanding of a species' dispersal ecology, the stochastic movement simulator represents a promising tool for estimating connectivity, which can help improve the design of functional ecological networks aimed at successful species conservation.
The Value Relevance of Mandatory Non‐GAAP Earnings
Authors: Venter Elmar R. , Emanuel David , Cahan Steven F. 
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the value relevance of earnings components where there is a mandatory requirement to report generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings and non‐GAAP earnings, and where the items to be eliminated from GAAP earnings are defined in detail. The setting is different from non‐GAAP earnings disclosures presented in the United States and elsewhere, where managers have discretion over whether to report a non‐GAAP earnings number, and what to exclude from GAAP earnings. Our mandatory setting enables us to report value relevance results that are not confounded by managers' discretionary choices regarding non‐GAAP earnings exclusions.We use price‐level regressions, based on the Ohlson (1995) model, to test for incremental and relative value relevance. The results show that non‐GAAP earnings reported under a mandatory regime have higher value relevance than GAAP earnings. The disaggregation of these items is useful to investors in a setting where managerial motivations are minimized.
Comparison of Cardiogoniometry and ECG at Rest versus Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy
Authors: Weber Stefan , Birkemeyer Ralf , Schultes Dominik , Grewenig Walter , Huebner Thomas 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundCardiogoniometry (CGM) is a novel resting electrocardiac method based on computer‐generated three‐dimensional data derived from cardiac potentials. The purpose of this study was to determine CGM's and electrocardiography's (ECG) accuracy for detecting myocardial ischemia and/or lesions in comparison with stress/rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (single photon emission computer tomography [SPECT]).MethodA cohort of consecutively enrolled patients (n = 100) with suspected or known coronary artery disease (mean age 67.8 years, 52% female) were examined by CGM and resting ECG before stress/rest myocardial scintigraphy.ResultsPathological scintigraphy findings at adenosine stress perfusion (ASP) and/or rest were conclusively identified in 21 patients. Diagnostic sensitivity was 71% for CGM and 24% for ECG, specificity was 70% for CGM and 95% for ECG. Reversible ischemia was diagnosed in 16 of 21 patients with pathological scintigraphy results. In this subgroup, sensitivity was 67% for CGM and 25% for ECG.ConclusionsAt rest, the sensitivity of a CGM significantly surmounts that of a standard 12‐lead ECG for detection of isolated myocardial ischemia or myocardial lesions revealed by scintigraphy/SPECT; specificity is in a reasonable range. CGM's ease of use and its considerable agreement with the results of myocardial scintigraphy, suggests a possible role for patient screening in the primary care setting.
Exercise reduces the symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and improves social behaviour, motor skills, strength and neuropsychological parameters
Authors: Kamp Carolin Friederike , Sperlich Billy , Holmberg Hans‐Christer 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis review summarises research studies on the impact and beneficial effects of different types of exercise on childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and provides recommendations for the scientific and therapeutic communities.ConclusionAlthough the design and the exercise interventions featured in these studies varied considerably, all showed that exercise reduced the symptoms of ADHD and led to improvements in social behaviour, motor skills, strength and neuropsychological parameters.
Effect of the type of farrowing room on the welfare and productive performance of lactating sows and of piglets during tropical winter
Authors: Oliveira Júnior Gregório M. , Ferreira Aloízio S. , Rodrigues Valéria V. , Figueiredo Érika M. , Formigoni Andressa S. , Zangeronimo Márcio G. , Santos Wilams G. , Alvarenga Renata R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior and performance of sows and piglets kept in different types of farrowing rooms: conventional farrowing room with jugglers and cages (CFR), CFR with a heated floor for the piglets alongside the sows (CFR+HF) and semi‐outdoor farrowing room without a cage or heating floor but with access to a fenced field (SFR) during the tropical winter. Twenty‐seven multiparous sows were allocated in three treatments and nine repetitions during 21 days. The relative humidity was higher at CFR and CFR+HF. The temperature of thigh and chest in contact with the floor and the neck were higher (P < 0.01) in conventional systems. Sows maintained in the CFR spent (P < 0.01) more time feeding and drinking. The heating floor increased (P < 0.01) the nursing behavior but did not affect (P > 0.09) the sows’ and piglets’ performances. SFR decreased the backfat thickness (P = 0.03) and lactation efficiency, but did not affect milk production (P > 0.12) or piglet performance (P > 0.09). It is concluded that during tropical winter, conventional farrowing systems ensure better piglet performance compared to SFR but this last seems to improve the behavior of sows. The heating floor favors nursing and does not affect the welfare of sows.
Treatment satisfaction with tadalafil or tamsulosin vs placebo in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): results from a randomised, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Oelke Matthias , Giuliano François , Baygani Simin K. , Melby Thomas , Sontag Angelina 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo assess treatment satisfaction with tadalafil or tamsulosin vs placebo in a 12‐week, randomised, double‐blind study of men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH).Patients and MethodsAfter a 4‐week placebo lead‐in period, men aged ≥45 years with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥13 and a maximum urinary flow rate of ≥4 to ≤15 mL/s received placebo (172 men), tadalafil 5 mg (171), or tamsulosin 0.4 mg (168) once daily for 12 weeks. Treatment Satisfaction Scale‐BPH (TSS‐BPH) responses were assessed based on median treatment differences using the van Elteren test.ResultsOverall treatment satisfaction was greater for tadalafil vs placebo (P = 0.005), based on greater satisfaction with efficacy (P = 0.003); neither overall treatment satisfaction nor satisfaction with efficacy was greater for tamsulosin vs placebo (P ≥ 0.409). For individual questions, 66.5% of men rated tadalafil treatment as ‘effective/very effective’ (Question 1, Q1) vs placebo (P = 0.011), 72.6% would ‘definitely/probably recommend their treatment’ (Q3; P = 0.043), 71.8% were generally ‘very satisfied/satisfied with their medication’ (Q8; P < 0.003), and 65.0% would ‘definitely/probably continue therapy’ (Q10; P = 0.035). With tamsulosin, differences vs placebo were not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses of overall TSS‐BPH by baseline age (≤65/>65 years), history of erectile dysfunction (yes/no), LUTS/BPH severity (IPSS</≥20), total testosterone level (<300/≥300 ng/dL), and age‐specific predicted prostate volume (<40/≥40 mL) showed no statistically significant treatment‐subgroup interactions. Men with recent prior α‐blocker therapy reported greater treatment satisfaction with tadalafil vs placebo, with only borderline difference for men without prior therapy.ConclusionTreatment satisfaction was greater with tadalafil vs placebo, with no significant difference between tamsulosin and placebo.
Nutritional status and physical activity level as risk factor for traumatic dental injuries occurrence: a systematic review
Authors: Goettems Marília Leão , Schuch Helena Silveira , Hallal Pedro Curi , Torriani Dione Dias , Demarco Flávio Fernando 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimTo systematically review epidemiological articles assessing traumatic dental injuries (TDI) rates according to the physical activity habits and nutritional status.MethodsA search was conducted using PubMed, ISI, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, and gray literature in Brazilian Theses Databank. We searched for dental trauma, traumatic dental injuries, tooth injuries, tooth fractures, physical activity, motor activity, exercise, sedentary lifestyle, sports, obesity, body mass index (BMI), overweight, and fatness. Databases were searched in duplicate from their earliest records until 2012. Additional studies were identified by searching bibliographies of the articles. Two reviewers performed data extraction and analyzed study procedural quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews were followed.ResultsWe found 1159 articles, of whom 14 reports involving 13 studies were selected. One article was a birth cohort, one had a case–control design, and the others were cross‐sectional. The quality of evidence varied across the studies and was high (9) in 3. Eleven of the studies included assessed influence of nutritional status: five show a positive association between dental trauma and overweight and six do not show any association. Regarding physical activity level, five studies assessed its effect on trauma occurrence: two detected that physical activity acts as a protective factor and two that physical active increases the risk of dental injuries, and one showed no differences in TDI occurrence. Physical activity estimated from questionnaires and BMI were the most frequently used measures, but methodological differences prevent the comparison of results.ConclusionThe results suggest that no truly causal relationship exists between dental trauma and physical activity and nutritional status. Due to the relatively low level of evidence currently present, studies with more robust design, for example, prospective cohort should address this question, especially in view of the epidemic of obesity.