bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged breast-feeding protects mothers from later-life obesity and related cardio-metabolic disorders
Authors: Wiklund Petri , Xu Leiting , Lyytikäinen Arja , Saltevo Juha , Wang Qin , Völgyi Eszter , Munukka Eveliina , Cheng Shumei , Alen Markku , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Cheng Sulin 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the long-term effects of duration of postpartum lactation on maternal body composition and risk for cardio-metabolic disorders in later life.DesignRetrospective study. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum glucose, insulin and lipids were analysed using enzymatic photometric methods 16–20 years after the last pregnancy. Medical history and lifestyle factors were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Detailed information regarding weight change patterns during each pregnancy was obtained from personal maternity tracking records.SettingCity of Jyväskylä and surroundings in Central Finland.SubjectsTwo hundred and twelve women (mean age 48, range 36–60 years).ResultsAt 16–20 years after their last pregnancy, women who had breast-fed for less than 6 months had higher total body fat mass and fat mass percentage, particularly in the android region (46·5 (sd8·2) %) than mothers who had breast-fed for longer than 6 months (39·0 (sd10·2) %) or for longer than 10 months (38·4 (sd10·9) %,P< 0·01). These differences were independent of pre-pregnancy weight and BMI, menopausal status, smoking status, level of education, participation in past and present leisure-time physical activity, and current dietary energy intake. Higher body fat mass was also associated with higher fasting serum glucose concentration and insulin resistance, TAG, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations, as well as higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P< 0·05 for all).ConclusionsShort duration of breast-feeding may induce weight retention and fat mass accumulation, resulting in increased risk of cardio-metabolic disorders in later life.
Urban v. suburban perceptions of the neighbourhood food environment as correlates of adolescent food purchasing
Authors: Hearst Mary O , Pasch Keryn E , Laska Melissa N 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relationship between adolescent perception of time to walk to neighbourhood food retail outlets and purchasing of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), fast and convenience food items, and to test for differences by urban v. suburban environment.DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingTwin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, USA.SubjectsAdolescents from two studies completed survey-based measures on perceptions of time to walk to food retail outlets from home, purchasing patterns of SSB and fast and convenience store items, perceptions of personal safety and pedestrian infrastructure, and demographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis, Spearman correlations and multivariate linear regression, accounting for clustering, were conducted.ResultsThere were 634 adolescents, approximately half male, predominantly white, with a middle-class background. Greater perceived time to food outlets was associated with less frequent purchasing of SSB, convenience store foods and fast-food items. Multivariate models showed that a perceived shorter walking time (i.e. 1−5 v. 31+ min) was significantly associated with more SSB purchasing. SSB purchases were also significantly associated with the number of food outlets within a 10 min walk (B = 0·05, P = 0·02).ConclusionsA reduction in consumption of SSB and other energy-dense snacks is an important obesity prevention approach. An approach offering alternatives or reducing exposure in addition to education to alter purchasing habits may contribute to improving dietary habits and reducing the obesity epidemic.
High efficiency transfection of thymic epithelial cell lines and primary thymic epithelial cells by Nucleofection
Authors: O’Neil Richard , Wei Qiaozhi , Condie Brian 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThymic epithelial cells (TECs) are required for the development and differentiation of T cells and are sufficient for the positive and negative selection of developing T cells. Although TECs play a critical role in T cell biology, simple, efficient and readily scalable methods for the transfection of TEC lines and primary TECs have not been described. We tested the efficiency of Nucleofection for the transfection of 4 different mouse thymic epithelial cell lines that had been derived from cortical or medullary epithelium. We also tested primary mouse thymic epithelial cells isolated from fetal and postnatal stages. We found that Nucleofection was highly efficient for the transfection of thymic epithelial cells, with transfection efficiencies of 30-70% for the cell lines and 15-35% for primary TECs with low amounts of cell death. Efficient transfection by Nucleofection can be performed with established cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cell lines as well as primary TECs isolated from E15.5 day fetal thymus or postnatal day 3 or 30 thymus tissue. The high efficiency of Nucleofection for TEC transfection will enable the use of TEC lines in high throughput transfection studies and simplifies the transfection of primary TECs for in vitro or in vivo analysis.
MAPPING THE ACTIVISM OF ETHNIC AND NATIONAL MINORITIES IN POLAND
Authors: Jasiewicz Joanna 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
For more than 40 years, minorities in Poland were deprived of the opportunity to publicly voice their demands and explicitly address mounting concerns over ethnic problems. For several decades, the ethnic presence in the public arena was restricted to a folkloric and apolitical façade. This article demonstrates that the tide of change brought about by the momentous year of 1989 has opened novel opportunities for minority groups. The article's objectives are twofold. First, it examines the boundaries of the national discursive structure in the minority rights area in Poland demonstrating that it is deeply embedded in Poland's history. Second, it explores the identity of actors who contributed to the debate in the field of ethnic politics in Poland and reveals that ethnic groups and state representatives are the most active players in the game when the regulation of minorities’ social and political position in contemporary Poland is at stake. The article shows that using minority language as an auxiliary one in contacts with public authorities and the issue of topographic double-naming are major sources of political contention. On the other hand, it reveals that minorities address these topics by pushing for more rights in the contentious area of the auxiliary function of ethnic languages.
Do Shocks Change Organizations? The Case of NASA
Authors: Donahue Amy K. , O'Leary Rosemary 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe 50-year history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) spaceflight program is marked by spectacular accomplishments and devastating tragedy. NASA has suffered three major disasters, each of which destroyed a spacecraft and killed its crew. In the wake of each accident, investigators and analysts identified causes and recommended technical and organizational improvements that NASA should undertake. The NASA case presents an opportunity to examine the question: Do shocks change organizations? The article reviews three prominent theoretical models of organizational change. Then, using data derived from 5 years of participant observation, as well as government reports, academic investigations, and news articles, we present an analysis of whether the factors required for change identified in the literature were and are present at NASA. The results of this examination suggest that in the wake of these shocks, the agency undertook many technical and procedural changes, but that, as the literature predicts, there are also barriers embedded in the fabric of the agency that are likely to thwart change. We conclude by examining the prospects for understanding change in public, private, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes that experience shocks and offer propositions for future research.
Coagulation and fibrinolytic disturbances are related to carotid intima thickness and arterial blood pressure in Turner syndrome
Authors: Gravholt Claus H. , Mortensen Kristian H. , Andersen Niels H. , Ibsen Liselotte , Ingerslev Jørgen , Hjerrild Britta E. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryObjective  Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by growth retardation, hypogonadism and a high risk of cardiovascular complications and atherosclerosis; case reports suggest that thrombo‐embolic complications may be present.Design  Cross‐sectional study.Patients  Sixty women with TS.Measurements  We characterized the activities of the haemostatic system, elucidated by the assessment of a panel of clotting factors and thrombosis risk factors and related these findings to carotid intima thickness (CIMT) and blood pressure.Results  Most (81%) received hormone replacement therapy. The medians of all measured factors and inflammatory parameters were not different from normative data, but many cases displayed values of C‐reactive protein (CRP) (40%), fibrinogen (15%), fibrin D‐dimer (15%), factor VIII (25%), von Willebrand factor (vWF) (15%), cholesterol and liver parameters that were greater than normative limits. CRP, fibrinogen, vWF, factor VIII and liver parameters were highly and positively correlated. Haemostatic variables were positively related to both CIMT and blood pressure. The Factor V Leiden G1691A gene polymorphism heterozygosity was detected in 12·5%.Conclusion  We describe a significant proportion of individual TS females having high levels of vWF, factor VIII, fibrinogen and CRP (15–40%) and an increased frequency of the Leiden mutation, with important associations with CIMT and blood pressure, suggesting that a subset of TS may have an unfavourable haemostatic balance, which may contribute to the increased risk of premature ischaemic heart disease and possibly increase the risk of deep venous and portal vein thrombosis.
Termination of Vibrio cholerae virulence gene expression is mediated by proteolysis of the major virulence activator, ToxT
Authors: Abuaita Basel H. , Withey Jeffrey H. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryVibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a severe diarrhoeal illness. V. cholerae produces two major virulence factors: the cholera toxin, which directly causes diarrhoea, and the toxin‐coregulated pilus, which is required for intestinal colonization. Production of these virulence factors is dependent on the major virulence regulator, ToxT. Under virulence‐inducing growth conditions, transcription factors ToxR and TcpP initially activate transcription of toxT. However, once ToxT has been expressed, it produces more of itself independent of ToxR and TcpP by activating transcription of the long tcpA operon, within which toxT is located. It is known that V. cholerae terminates virulence gene expression prior to escape from the host, but it is unknown how this ToxT‐positive feedback loop is broken, an essential step in terminating virulence gene expression. To better understand how ToxT protein activity is regulated, we monitored ToxT accumulation and activity under virulence‐inducing and ‐repressing growth conditions. Our results suggest that ToxT protein undergoes proteolytic degradation to terminate virulence gene expression. This directed degradation of ToxT supports a model for terminating V. cholerae virulence gene expression late in infection, with both ToxT and TcpP undergoing proteolysis prior to escape from the host.
Skin rejuvenating effects of chemical peeling: a study in photoaged hairless mice
Authors: Han Sung Hyup , Kim Hong Jig , Kim Si Yong , Kim You Chan , Choi Gwang Seong , Shin Jeong Hyun 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Chemical peeling is a dermatologic treatment for skin aging. However, the mechanism by which the chemical peel achieves its results is not clear. We investigated the effects of chemical peeling and the mechanism of wrinkle reduction in photoaged hairless mice skin.Methods  After inducing photoaged skin in hairless mice by repetitive ultraviolet‐B irradiation applied over 14 weeks, we applied trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 30%, TCA 50%, and phenol on areas of the same size on the backs of the mice. Punch biopsies were obtained 7, 14, 28, and 60 days after the procedure for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses.Results  Histologic examination showed an increase in dermal thickness, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers in the dermis of intervention groups compared with control groups. These increases were maintained significantly for 60 days.Conclusions  This study demonstrates that chemical peeling reduces wrinkles and regenerates skin by increasing dermal thickness and the amount of collagen and elastic fibers in photoaged skin.
Pregnancy outcome in women with vitiligo
Authors: Horev Amir , Weintraub Adi Y. , Sergienko Ruslan , Wiznitzer Arnon , Halevy Sima , Sheiner Eyal 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Vitiligo, characterized by destruction of melanocytes, causes a patchy depigmentation of the skin. It has been hypothesized to have an autoimmune pathogenesis. Autoimmune disorders are more common among women and may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as recurrent abortions, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and pre‐eclampsia.Objective  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with vitiligo have increased rates of gestational complications.Methods  A retrospective comparative study was undertaken comparing pregnancy complications of patients with and without vitiligo. The population was composed of all singleton deliveries that occurred at the Soroka University Medical Center in Israel during the years 1988–2006. Women lacking prenatal care and multiple gestations were excluded from the study. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to control for confounders.Results  Of 186,222 singleton deliveries, 79 (0.04%) were patients with vitiligo. Vitiligo was not found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including obstetric risk factors, labor characteristics and complications, and birth outcome. Using multivariable analysis, only grand multiparity (above five deliveries) was independently associated with vitiligo (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.2–3.2; P = 0.007).Limitations  Retrospective analysis was a limitation.Conclusion  Vitiligo is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Accordingly, patients with vitiligo should not be managed differently from the general obstetric population.
Treatment of reticulated acropigmentation of Kitamura with Q‐switched alexandrite laser
Authors: Fahad Al Saif , Al Shahwan Hissah , Dayel Salman Bin 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Reticulated acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK) is a pigmentary disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance, occurring predominantly within the Japanese population, for which no successful treatment has been described.Objective  The objective was to describe a 23‐year‐old Saudi woman with reticulated acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK), who was successfully treated with a 75‐nm Q‐switched alexandrite laser.Method  To report a 23‐year‐old Saudi woman with reticulated acropigmentation of kitamura (RAPK) who was treated with two sessions of the Q‐switched alexandrite laser, six weeks apart with no recurrence after two years.Results  Cutaneous pigmentation of reticulated acropigmentation of kitamura (RAPK) almost resolved completely in two laser sessions. Side effects were limited to transient post inflammatory hypopigmentation.Conclusion  Cutaneous pigmentation of reticulated acropigmentation of kitamura (RAPK) can be effectively treated by Q‐switched alexandrite (755‐nm) laser, which shows a promising result, and it can be considered as treatment option, although further studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment modality with other Q‐switched laser; e.g. Q‐switched ND:YAG or Q‐switch Ruby.
New topics in bradykinin research
Authors: Maurer M. , Bader M. , Bas M. , Bossi F. , Cicardi M. , Cugno M. , Howarth P. , Kaplan A. , Kojda G. , Leeb‐Lundberg F. , Lötvall J. , Magerl M. 
Published: August 2011

To cite this article: Maurer M, Bader M, Bas M, Bossi F, Cicardi M, Cugno M, Howarth P, Kaplan A, Kojda G, Leeb‐Lundberg F, Lötvall J, Magerl M. New topics in bradykinin research. Allergy 2011; 66: 1397–1406.AbstractBradykinin has been implicated to contribute to allergic inflammation and the pathogenesis of allergic conditions. It binds to endothelial B1 and B2 receptors and exerts potent pharmacological and physiological effects, notably, decreased blood pressure, increased vascular permeability and the promotion of classical symptoms of inflammation such as vasodilation, hyperthermia, oedema and pain. Towards potential clinical benefit, bradykinin has also been shown to exert potent antithrombogenic, antiproliferative and antifibrogenic effects. The development of pharmacologically active substances, such as bradykinin receptor blockers, opens up new therapeutic options that require further research into bradykinin. This review presents current understanding surrounding the role of bradykinin in nonallergic angioedema and other conditions seen by allergists and emergency physicians, and its potential role as a therapeutic target.
Reconstructing savanna tree cover from pollen, phytoliths and stable carbon isotopes
Authors: Aleman Julie , Leys Bérangère , Apema Roger , Bentaleb Ilham , Dubois Marc A. , Lamba Barthélémy , Lebamba Judicaël , Martin Céline , Ngomanda Alfred , Truc Loïc , Yangakola Jean‐Michel , Favier Charly , Bremond Laurent 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAimTo calibrate a model of the relationship between bio‐proxies (pollen, phytoliths and δ13C of soil organic matter) and woody cover, measured as the leaf area index (LAI). This relationship, applied in palaeosequences, enables reconstruction of past savanna tree cover.LocationThe samples are from tropical Africa. Modern soil samples are from the Central African Republic and past samples are from sediments of lakes in Senegal and Congo.MethodsWe analysed the pollen and phytolith content and stable carbon isotope values of 17 soil samples taken from three short transects in the Central African Republic; LAI was measured on the same transects. The indices used were the AP/NAP ratio of arboreal (AP) to non‐arboreal (NAP) pollen, the D/P ratio of ligneous dicotyledons (D) to Poaceae (P) phytoliths, and the δ13C of soil organic matter, i.e. the 13C/12C ratio.ResultsA multi‐proxy model was calibrated. The best model included only a combination of pollen and phytolith as proxies, excluding organic matter δ13C because of its long mean residence time in the soil. The model was then applied to two palaeosequences in Africa, and a time series of relative LAI changes was obtained, providing new information about vegetation changes.ConclusionThis model can be applied in palaeosequences to reconstruct relative time series of LAI in African savannas and can help interpret vegetation changes quantitatively. This approach is complementary to the description of pollen and phytolith assemblages.
Recombination in IS
26
and Tn
2
in the Evolution of Multiresistance Regions Carrying
bla
CTX-M-15
on Conjugative IncF Plasmids from Escherichia coli
Authors: Partridge Sally R. , Zong Zhiyong , Iredell Jonathan R. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

CTX-M-15 now appears to be the dominant extended-spectrum β-lactamase worldwide, and a number of different factors may contribute to this success. These include associations between
bla
CTX-M-15
and particular plasmids (IncF) and/or strains, such as
Escherichia coli
ST131, as well as the genetic contexts in which this gene is found. We previously identified
bla
CTX-M-15
as the dominant ESBL gene in the western Sydney area, Australia, and found that it was carried mainly on IncF or IncI1 plasmids. Here, we have mapped the multiresistance regions of the 11 conjugative plasmids with one or more IncF replicons obtained from that survey and conducted a limited comparison of plasmid backbones. Two plasmids with only an IncFII replicon appear to be very similar to the published plasmids pC15-1a and pEK516. The remaining nine plasmids, with multiple IncF replicons, have multiresistance regions related to those of pC15-1a and pEK516, but eight contain additional modules previously found in resistance plasmids from different geographic locations that carry a variety of different resistance genes. Differences between the multiresistance regions are largely due to IS
26
-mediated deletions, insertions, and/or rearrangements, which can explain the observed variable associations between
bla
CTX-M-15
and certain other resistance genes. We found no evidence of independent movement of
bla
CTX-M-15
or of a large multiresistance region between different plasmid backbones. Instead, homologous recombination between common components, such as IS
26
and Tn
2
, appeared to be more important in creating new multiresistance regions, and this may be coupled with recombination in plasmid backbones to reassort multiple IncF replicons as well as components of multiresistance regions.
Cethromycin-Mediated Protection against the Plague Pathogen Yersinia pestis in a Rat Model of Infection and Comparison with Levofloxacin
Authors: Rosenzweig Jason A. , Brackman Sheri M. , Kirtley Michelle L. , Sha Jian , Erova Tatiana E. , Yeager Linsey A. , Peterson Johnny W. , Xu Ze-Qi , Chopra Ashok K. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The Gram-negative plague bacterium,
Yersinia pestis
, has historically been regarded as one of the deadliest pathogens known to mankind, having caused three major pandemics. After being transmitted by the bite of an infected flea arthropod vector,
Y. pestis
can cause three forms of human plague: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic, with the latter two having very high mortality rates. With increased threats of bioterrorism, it is likely that a multidrug-resistant
Y. pestis
strain would be employed, and, as such, conventional antibiotics typically used to treat
Y. pestis
(e.g., streptomycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin) would be ineffective. In this study, cethromycin (a ketolide antibiotic which inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and is currently in clinical trials for respiratory tract infections) was evaluated for antiplague activity in a rat model of pneumonic infection and compared with levofloxacin, which operates via inhibition of bacterial topoisomerase and DNA gyrase. Following a respiratory challenge of 24 to 30 times the 50% lethal dose of the highly virulent
Y. pestis
CO92 strain, 70 mg of cethromycin per kg of body weight (orally administered twice daily 24 h postinfection for a period of 7 days) provided complete protection to animals against mortality without any toxic effects. Further, no detectable plague bacilli were cultured from infected animals' blood and spleens following cethromycin treatment. The antibiotic was most effective when administered to rats 24 h postinfection, as the animals succumbed to infection if treatment was further delayed. All cethromycin-treated survivors tolerated 2 subsequent exposures to even higher lethal
Y. pestis
doses without further antibiotic treatment, which was related, in part, to the development of specific antibodies to the capsular and low-calcium-response V antigens of
Y. pestis
. These data demonstrate that cethromycin is a potent antiplague drug that can be used to treat pneumonic plague.