bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phospholipid, Oleic Acid Micelles and Dietary Olive Oil Influence the Lutein Absorption and Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Rats
Authors: Lakshminarayana R. , Raju M. , Keshava Prakash M. N. , Baskaran V. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study reports on the results of repeated gavages and dietary feeding of lutein dispersed either in phospholipids or fatty acid micelles or vegetable oils and the effects on lutein bioavailability and antioxidant enzymes in rats. For the gavage study, rats (n = 5/group) were intubated with lutein solubilized either in oleic acid (OLA, 18:1n‐9) or linoleic acid (LNA, 18:2n‐6) or phosphatidylcholine (PC) or lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) or no phospholipid (NoPL) micelles for 10 days. For the dietary study, rats (n = 5/group) were fed a diet containing fenugreek leaf (lutein source), either with olive (OO) or sunflower (SFO) or groundnut (GNO, control) oil or l‐α‐lecithin (PL) for 4 weeks. The gavage study showed that the plasma, liver and eye lutein levels in OLA and LPC groups were higher by 23.9, 20.8 and 25.5% and 16.1, 28.5 and 14.0% than LNA and PC groups, respectively. The dietary study showed the plasma (35.0 and 43.5%) and eye (18.5 and 37.0%) lutein levels in OO were higher than SFO and GNO groups. The plasma and eye lutein levels in the PL group were higher by 20 and 31.3% than in the control. It is evident that OO and PL modulate lutein absorption, which in turn modulates antioxidant enzymes and fatty acids in plasma and tissues compared to SFO. Hence, selection of the fat source may be vital to enhancing the lutein bioavailability.
Microbial Conversion of Vegetable Oil to Rare Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Fatty Alcohols by an Aeromonas hydrophila Isolate
Authors: Nagao Toshihiro , Watanabe Yomi , Hiraoka Keiji , Kishimoto Noriaki , Fujita Tokio , Shimada Yuji 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe isolated two new microorganisms capable of converting vegetable oil to several rare unsaturated fatty acids and rare unsaturated fatty alcohols from a soil sample. The strains were identified as belonging to the same genus and species, Aeromonas hydrophila. The rare unsaturated fatty acids and rare unsaturated fatty alcohols were accumulated as a wax ester form by the strains. Compared to other strains, the A. hydrophila isolates effectively decreased fatty acid chain lengths and converted rapeseed oil, which is rich in 9‐C18:1 fatty acid, into rare fatty acids, such as 7‐C16:1 fatty acid and 5‐C14:1 fatty acid. Furthermore, the A. hydrophila isolates converted the resulting fatty acids to rare unsaturated fatty alcohols, such as 7‐C16:1 fatty alcohol and 5‐C14:1 fatty alcohol. The isolates also converted safflower oil, which is rich in 9,12‐C18:2 fatty acid, to 7,10‐C16:2 fatty acid, 5,8‐C14:2 fatty acid, 9,12‐C18:2 fatty alcohol, 7,10‐C16:2 fatty alcohol, and 5,8‐C14:2 fatty alcohol. 7,10,13‐C16:3 fatty acid, 9,12,15‐C18:3 fatty alcohol, and 7,10,13‐C16:3 fatty alcohol were also converted from linseed oil, which is rich in 9,12,15‐C18:3 fatty acid, by the A. hydrophila isolates. These fatty acids and fatty alcohols are rarely found in natural oils. Since decreasing fatty acid carbon chain lengths from the carboxyl end and reducing unsaturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty alcohols are both difficult reactions to accomplish by chemical means, we suggest that these A. hydrophila isolates may facilitate introduction of new bioprocess for producing rare unsaturated fatty acids and rare unsaturated fatty alcohols, especially fatty alcohols harboring more than two double bonds.
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes in people with severe mental illness position statement from the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), supported by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Authors: De Hert M. , Dekker J.M. , Wood D. , Kahl K.G. , Holt R.I.G. , Möller H.-J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPeople with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder, have worse physical health and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. The excess cardiovascular mortality associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is attributed in part to an increased risk of the modifiable coronary heart disease risk factors; obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Antipsychotic medication and possibly other psychotropic medication like antidepressants can induce weight gain or worsen other metabolic cardiovascular risk factors. Patients may have limited access to general healthcare with less opportunity for cardiovascular risk screening and prevention than would be expected in a non-psychiatric population. The European Psychiatric Association (EPA), supported by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published this statement with the aim of improving the care of patients suffering from severe mental illness. The intention is to initiate cooperation and shared care between the different healthcare professionals and to increase the awareness of psychiatrists and primary care physicians caring for patients with severe mental illness to screen and treat cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes.
Role of Glutathione monoester on age‐related neurochemical alterations in rat brain
Authors: Murali Ganesan , Dhivya Sugumar , Rasappan Periannan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIt is quite apparent that the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in both men and women increases in a logarithmic fashion with age and begins to rise much more rapidly after the age of 60. Brain aging is accompanied by structural and functional changes at cellular and tissue levels such as increase in free radical generation, lowered antioxidant defenses, decrease in number of neurons, decrease in the activities of enzymes, (g) decrease in impulse transmission. The present study was aimed to assess the neuromodulatory role of Glutathione monoester (GME) when administered intraperitoneally (12 mg/kg body weight) for 20 days on acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity, levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and rotorod behavioral analysis in discrete brain regions of young and aged male albino Wistar rats. Age‐related decrease (p < 0.05) in acetylcholine esterase activity, neurotransmitter levels and also decrease in sensorimotor performance was observed. GME administration was effective in restoring these neuronal parameters in aged rat brain regions. Thus GME act as a neuromodulator in discrete brain regions of aged rats.
Comparison of transabdominal versus transvaginal ultrasound to measure thickness of the lower uterine segment at term
Authors: Marasinghe Jeevan Prasanga , Senanayake Hemantha , Randeniya Cyril , Seneviratne Harshalal Rukka , Arambepola Carukshi , Devlieger Roland 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of transvaginal (TVS) versus transabdominal (TAS) ultrasound to assess the thickness of the lower uterine segment (LUS).MethodsEighty‐three pregnant women admitted for an elective cesarean delivery were enrolled. LUS thickness was measured using both TVS and TAS prior to the cesarean. The actual thickness of the LUS was measured using a sterile metal ruler after the neonate had been delivered.ResultsSeventeen women had unscarred uteri (20.1%); 41 had had one previous cesarean (49.4%); and 25 had had two previous cesareans (30.1%). Mean thickness of the LUS measured after delivery was 7.58 ± 1.3 mm in unscarred uteri; 5.09 ± 1.4 mm for one cesarean; and 3.92 ± 1.1 mm for two cesareans (P< 0.01). Actual thickness of the LUS showed a significant correlation with TVS among the total (rs= 0.89); with unscarred uteri (rs= 0.68); with 1 cesarean (rs= 0.89); and 2 cesareans (rs= 0.68), while with TAS the correlations were significant only with the total (rs= 0.53) and 2 previous cesareans (rs= 0.63) (P< 0.01).ConclusionTVS is a more accurate method of assessing the thickness of the LUS compared with TAS.
Adding cognitive behavioural treatment to either low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets: differential short-term effects
Authors: Rodriguez-Hernandez Heriberto , Morales-Amaya Uziel A. , Rosales-Valdéz Ramon , Rivera-Hinojosa Felipe , Rodriguez-Moran Martha , Guerrero-Romero Fernando 
Published: August 2009

To evaluate the efficacy of adding cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) to either a low-carbohydrate (LC) diet or a low-fat (LF) diet in the treatment of weight loss of obese women, a randomised clinical intervention study was performed. A total of 105 healthy non-pregnant obese women (average age and BMI of 45·4 (sd 10·4) years and 36 (sd 4·3) kg/m2) were randomly allocated to the CBT or control (C) groups; within each group, women were randomly selected to receive either the LC or LF diet during 6 months. The pre-planned primary trial end-point was the weight loss. Differences between the groups were assessed using one-way ANOVA. There were three women (2·8 %) who dropped out, all of them in the CBT group. No differences in the anthropometric and laboratory characteristics at baseline were noted between women in the CBT (n 52) and control groups (n 50). Intention-to-treat analysis showed that weight loss in the CBT-LC (90 (sd 12·3) to 82·1 (sd 12·1) kg) and C-LC (89·4 (sd 10·0) to 85·8 (sd 9·8) kg) groups reached 8·7 and 4·0 %, respectively (P < 0·0001), and in the CBT-LF (87·9 (sd 11·4) to 79·4 (sd 11·8) kg) and C-LF (88·8 (sd 14·5) to 85·3 (sd 14·3) kg) groups it was 9·7 and 3·9 %, respectively (P < 0·05). Weight loss was higher in the CBT-LF group than in the CBT-LC groups (P = 0·049). The present results showed that adding CBT to either the LF or LC diet produced significantly greater short-term weight loss in obese women compared with diet alone. These finding support the efficacy of CBT in breaking previous dietary patterns and in developing healthier attitudes that reinforce a healthier lifestyle.
A prospective study of dietary intakes and influential factors from pregnancy to postpartum on maternal weight retention in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Lyu Li-Ching , Lo Chaio-Chen , Chen Heng-Fei , Wang Chia-Yu , Liu Dou-Ming 
Published: August 2009

Excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention are risk factors for female obesity. The present study was to examine dietary intakes and weight history from a prospective follow-up study from early pregnancy to 1 year postpartum. A total of 151 pregnant women within 20 weeks of pregnancy in Taipei, Taiwan were interviewed periodically to collect dietary and lifestyle information. The participants had an average age of 30 years and the average gestational weight gain was 14 kg, with an average daily intake of 7830 kJ (1870 kcal) in the 1 year following parturition. By bivariate analyses, maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI and breast-feeding were not related to postpartum weight retention, but gestational weight gain had significant positive correlations (r0·54 at 6 months,r0·44 at 1 year;P < 0·05). The generalised estimating equations showed that the average weight before pregnancy, at 6 months and 1 year postpartum was 53·35 kg, 55·75 kg (weight retention 2·36 kg;P < 0·01) and 54·75 kg (weight retention 1·48 kg;P < 0·01), respectively. After controlling for age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and parity, we found at 6 months that the adjusted weight retention at postpartum was 0·79 kg (P < 0·01), but at 1 year it was − 0·08 kg (P>0·05). From multivariate analyses, dietary energy intake and energy intake per kg body weight as a long-term physical activity index could explain 24 % of the variation at 6 months and 27 % of the variation at 1 year in postpartum weight retention. These results suggest that pregnant women should be advised to control gestational weight gain, decrease energy intakes after child-bearing and maintain regular exercise in order to prevent postpartum obesity.
Correspondence of continuous interstitial glucose measurement against arterialised and capillary glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test in healthy volunteers
Authors: Dye Louise , Mansfield Michael , Lasikiewicz Nicola , Mahawish Lena , Schnell Rainer , Talbot Duncan , Chauhan Hitesh , Croden Fiona , Lawton Clare 
Published: August 2009

The aim of the present study was to validate the Glucoday® continuous interstitial ambulatory glucose-monitoring device (AGD) against plasma glucose measured from arterialised venous (AV) and glucose from capillary whole blood (finger prick, FP) in non-diabetic subjects in response to an oral glucose tolerance test. Fifteen healthy overweight men (age 30–49 years, BMI 26–31 kg/m2) participated. Glucose levels were measured before, during and after consumption of an oral 75 g glucose load using twelve FP samples and forty-four 1 ml AV blood samples during 180 min. Interstitial glucose was measured via the AGD. Three venous samples for fasting insulin were taken to estimate insulin resistance. Profiles of AGD, AV and FP glucose were generated for each participant. Glucose values for each minute of the measurement period were interpolated using a locally weighted scatterplot smoother. Data were compared using Bland–Altman plots that showed good correspondence between all pairs of measurements. Concordance between the three methods was 0·8771 (Kendall's W, n 15, P < 0·001). Concordance was greater between AV and FP (W = 0·9696) than AGD and AV (W = 0·8770) or AGD and FP (W = 0·8764). Analysis of time to peak glucose indicated that AGD measures lagged approximately 15 min behind FP and AV measures. Percent body fat was significantly correlated with time to peak glucose levels for each measure, while BMI and estimated insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment, HOMA) were not. In conclusion, AGD shows good correspondence with FP and AV glucose measures in response to a glucose load with a 15 min time lag. Taking this into account, AGD has potential application in nutrition and behaviour studies.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Authors: Agarwal S 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the results of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy performed to treat acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Design:Retrospective analysis of the outcome of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy performed in the conventional manner (i.e. without power instruments or laser) to treat acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Subjects:Outcomes for 300 patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were evaluated. Cases with congenital or traumatic blockages were excluded. All the cases were evaluated for nasolacrimal duct blockage by the syringing and regurgitation test. Surgery was performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. Follow up was conducted by syringing and nasal endoscopy, up to one year. Results were compared with published data for endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy.Results:Outcomes were evaluated subjectively using patient symptoms, syringing results and endoscopic appearance. All cases were symptom-free following endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Revision surgery was performed in 18 cases. Stents were placed in 10 patients, of which two developed granulations. Septoplasty was performed in 25 cases to gain access to the lacrimal sac area.Conclusion:The results were comparable with published data for endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy.
Equilibrium states for piecewise monotonic transformations
Authors: Hofbauer Franz , Keller Gerhard 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe show that equilibrium states μ of a function φ on ([0,1], T), where T is piecewise monotonic, have strong ergodic properties in the following three cases:(i) sup φ — inf φ <htop(T) and φ is of bounded variation.(ii) φ satisfies a variation condition and T has a local specification property.(iii) φ = —log |T′|, which gives an absolutely continuous μ, T is C2, the orbits of the critical points of T are finite, and all periodic orbits of T are uniformly repelling.
Citizenship and structured dependency: the implications of policy design for senior political power
Authors: CARNEY GEMMA M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper argues that the structured dependency thesis must be extended to incorporate political power. It outlines a political framework of analysis with which to identify who gains and who loses from social policy. I argue that public policy for older people is a product not only of social structures but also of political decision-making. The Schneider and Ingram (1993) ‘target populations’ model is used to investigate how the social construction of groups as dependent equates with lower levels of influence on policy making. In United Kingdom and European research, older people are identified as politically quiescent, but conversely in the United States seniors are viewed as one of the most influential and cohesive interest groups in the political culture. Why are American seniors perceived as politically powerful, while older people in Europe are viewed as dependent and politically weak? This paper applies the ‘target populations’ model to senior policy in the Republic of Ireland to investigate how theoretical work in the United States may be used to identify the significance of senior power in policy development. I conclude that research must recognise the connections between power, politics and social constructions to investigate how state policies can influence the likelihood that seniors will resist structured dependency using political means.
‘I sort of pay back in my own little way’: managing independence and social connectedness through reciprocity
Authors: BREHENY MARY , STEPHENS CHRISTINE 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThere is increasing emphasis in the media, public and policy discourses about the implications of the ageing population on promoting independence and self-reliance in old age, which is linked to the importance of social connection and the dangers of social exclusion. This paper examines how the potentially contradictory moral imperatives of independence and connectedness are managed by older people through reciprocity. Thirty-six interviews were conducted with people aged 55–70 years in New Zealand, and the data have been analysed discursively. Older people drew upon social conventions of independence as well as describing firm ties to family and community. One way in which the contradictions between the discourses of independence and connectedness were managed was through the notion of reciprocity. This allowed the participants to describe their lives as linked to others through acts that benefited both parties, constructing both a sense of connection and a rejection of the position of dependency on others. Using this linguistic resource has both possibilities and limitations for older people's attempts to manage a moral identity as they age. Although many approaches can be used to construct an equal relationship between people, a commitment to reciprocity in social exchanges may restrict older people from accepting help if they do not see the interactions as contributions to others.
Work and mental health: the case of older men living in underprivileged communities in Lebanon
Authors: CHAAYA MONIQUE , SIBAI ABLA MEHIO , TABBAL NABIL , CHEMAITELLY HIAM , EL ROUEIHEB ZANA , SLIM ZEINAB N. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the association between being in paid work and depression among older adults in three poor urban communities in Beirut, Lebanon. In view of the rapid ageing of Lebanon's population and the growing number of older persons, the deteriorating economic conditions and the lack of pension systems, paid work is an important source of income for older people and deserves special attention. The sample was 328 men aged 65 or more years. Depression was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The exposure variable was working for pay at the time of the survey, and the covariates included socio-demographic measures, health characteristics, financial resources and social capital. Around one-third of the men were working, and approximately the same fraction were depressed. Adjusted data showed a protective effect of work on depression (odds ratio 0.50, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.25–0.96). This study is an eye opener on the circumstances of disadvantaged older people in a relatively low-income Eastern Mediterranean Region country, a topic rarely addressed in this area of the world. Old age is viewed as a decline in abilities while in reality many older adults are still able and ready to work. Social policies for older people should promote opportunities to work, not only pension schemes.
Effects of weather variability on infectious gastroenteritis
Authors: ONOZUKA D. , HASHIZUME M. , HAGIHARA A. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYAlthough multiple combinations of weather variability may contribute to an increased incidence of infectious gastrointestinal disease, few studies have investigated the association between weather variability and cases of infectious gastroenteritis. We acquired data for infectious gastroenteritis cases and weather variability in Fukuoka, Japan, from 1999 to 2007 and used time-series analysis to assess the effects of weather variability on infectious gastroenteritis cases, adjusting for confounding factors. In total, 422 176 infectious gastroenteritis cases were reported during the 9-year study period. The weekly number of infectious gastroenteritis cases increased by 7·7% (95% CI 4·6–10·8) for every 1°C increase in the average temperature and by 2·3% (95% CI 1·4–3·1) for every 1% decrease in relative humidity. From 1999 to 2007, infectious gastroenteritis cases increased significantly with increased average temperature and decreased relative humidity in Fukuoka, Japan.
Monadic constraint programming
Authors: SCHRIJVERS TOM , STUCKEY PETER , WADLER PHILIP 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA constraint programming system combines two essential components: a constraint solver and a search engine. The constraint solver reasons about satisfiability of conjunctions of constraints, and the search engine controls the search for solutions by iteratively exploring a disjunctive search tree defined by the constraint program. In this paper we give a monadic definition of constraint programming in which the solver is defined as a monad threaded through the monadic search tree. We are then able to define search and search strategies as first-class objects that can themselves be built or extended by composable search transformers. Search transformers give a powerful and unifying approach to viewing search in constraint programming, and the resulting constraint programming system is first class and extremely flexible.
The effect of the time interval between injection and parthenogenetic activation on the spindle formation and the in vitro developmental potential of somatic cell nuclear-transferred rat oocytes
Authors: Mizumoto Shigetoshi , Kato Yoko , Tsunoda Yukio 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWe examined the optimal conditions for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in the rat. First, we examined the effect of preincubation time before activation on SCNT rat oocytes produced in the presence of MG132 with regard to spindle formation and the potential to develop into blastocysts. The spindles of SCNT oocytes continued to elongate with an increase in the culture duration and, in approximately half of oocytes, the chromosomes were distributed along the spindles at 120 min after incubation. Such abnormal spindle formation in SCNT oocytes is a possible reason for the low developmental potential of SCNT rat oocytes. To inhibit the formation of abnormal spindle formation, we examined secondly the developmental potential of rat SCNT oocytes that had been preincubated with nocodazole and demecolcine instead of MG132. The developmental rates in SCNT oocytes, however, were decreased. For successful rat somatic cell cloning, two steps might be required: (1) to culture the somatic cell nuclei for a sufficient time in MII oocyte cytoplasm to enhance nuclear reprogramming; and (2) to induce normal spindle formation with normal chromosomal construction.