bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obesity and risk of vascular disease: importance of endothelium‐dependent vasoconstriction
Authors: Barton Matthias , Baretella Oliver , Meyer Matthias R 
Published: May 2011

Obesity has become a serious global health issue affecting both adults and children. Recent devolopments in world demographics and declining health status of the world's population indicate that the prevalence of obesity will continue to increase in the next decades. As a disease, obesity has deleterious effects on metabolic homeostasis, and affects numerous organ systems including heart, kidney and the vascular system. Thus, obesity is now regarded as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis‐related diseases such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and stroke. In the arterial system, endothelial cells are both the source and target of factors contributing to atherosclerosis. Endothelial vasoactive factors regulate vascular homeostasis under physiological conditions and maintain basal vascular tone. Obesity results in an imbalance between endothelium‐derived vasoactive factors favouring vasoconstriction, cell growth and inflammatory activation. Abnormal regulation of these factors due to endothelial cell dysfunction is both a consequence and a cause of vascular disease processes. Finally, because of the similarities of the vascular pathomechanisms activated, obesity can be considered to cause accelerated, ‘premature’ vascular aging. Here, we will review some of the pathomechanisms involved in obesity‐related activation of endothelium‐dependent vasoconstriction, the clinical relevance of obesity‐associated vascular risk, and therapeutic interventions using ‘endothelial therapy’ aiming at maintaining or restoring vascular endothelial health.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Fat and Vascular Responsiveness. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue‐3
Reduction of body weight, liver steatosis and expression of stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 by the isoflavone daidzein in diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Crespillo A , Alonso M , Vida M , Pavón FJ , Serrano A , Rivera P , Romero‐Zerbo Y , Fernández‐Llebrez P , Martínez A , Pérez‐Valero V , Bermúdez‐Silva FJ , Suárez J , de Fonseca FR 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The lack of safe and effective treatments for obesity has increased interest in natural products that may serve as alternative therapies. From this perspective, we have analysed the effects of daidzein, one of the main soy isoflavones, on diet‐induced obesity in rats.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rats made obese after exposure to a very (60%) high fat‐content diet were treated with daidzein (50 mg·kg−1) for 14 days. The dose was selected on the basis of the acute effects of this isoflavone on a feeding test. After 14 days, animals were killed and plasma, white and brown adipose tissue, muscle and liver studied for the levels and expression of metabolites, proteins and genes relevant to lipid metabolism.KEY RESULTS A single treatment (acute) with daidzein dose‐dependently reduced food intake. Chronic treatment (daily for 14 days) reduced weight gain and fat content in liver, accompanied by high leptin and low adiponectin levels in plasma. While skeletal muscle was weakly affected by treatment, both adipose tissue and liver displayed marked changes after treatment with daidzein, affecting transcription factors and lipogenic enzymes, particularly stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1, a pivotal enzyme in obesity. Expression of uncoupling protein 1, an important enzyme for thermogenesis, was increased in brown adipose tissue after daidzein treatment.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results support the use of isoflavones in diet‐induced obesity, especially when hepatic steatosis is present and open a new field of use for these natural products.
Effects of Visiting Nurses' Individually Tailored Education for Low‐Income Adult Diabetic Patients in Korea
Authors: Ko Il Sun , Lee Tae Hwa , Kim Gwang Suk , Kang Se Won , Kim Mi Ja 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the effects of individually tailored education by visiting nurses for low‐income adult diabetic patients.
Design and Sample: This one‐group pretest‐posttest study included 96 newly registered low‐income adult diabetic patients in a public health center in DJ‐gu (similar to a county in the United States) in 2006; the patients met the selection criteria.
Measures: Diabetes knowledge, self‐management, and blood glucose levels were compared before and after education.
Intervention: 15 visiting nurses delivered individually tailored education for 60–90 min/month for 7 months.
Results: After education, diabetes knowledge (p<.001) and self‐management in all categories of lifestyle (p<.001), diet (p<.001), exercise (p<.001), foot care (p<.001), medication (p=.004), and insulin therapy (p=.022) significantly improved. The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level decreased by 14.53 mg/dl; this decrease was insignificant (p=.117). However, the relationship between education and FBG levels was significant (χ2=40.11, p=.005).
Conclusions: Tailored education effectively improved the patients' knowledge of diabetes and self‐management. Therefore, regular, individually tailored education on a long‐term basis by visiting nurses can provide essential education to low‐income adult diabetic patients for maintaining self‐management.
Paediatric functional abdominal pain: significance of child and maternal health A prospective study
Authors: Helgeland Helene , Van Roy Betty , Sandvik Leiv , Markestad Trond , Kristensen Hanne 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  First, to what extent do general paediatric outpatients with functional abdominal pain experience other somatic and mental health symptoms compared with children in a population‐based sample? Second, to what extent are such symptoms in both patients and their mothers associated with persistent child abdominal pain and functional disability?Methods:  Ninety‐four referred patients [mean age (SD) 11.1 (1.9) years, 62% girls] were assessed by questionnaires and a paediatric consultation at baseline and at follow‐up after 6–9 months (94% follow‐up participation). At baseline, somatic and mental health symptoms in the patients were compared with a population‐based sample of 14 000 school children. Outcome at follow‐up was patient self‐reported abdominal pain and disability. Prognostic factors explored included patient and maternal somatic and mental health symptoms.Results:  The patients experienced significantly more somatic [e.g. headache (OR: 9.2; 95% CI: 5.9–14.6)] and emotional symptoms than the school children. Patient’s older age and peer problems at baseline were significantly associated with more abdominal pain at follow‐up, whereas patient’s older age, emotional symptoms, prosocial behaviour and maternal somatic symptoms were associated with disability.Conclusion:  Our results highlight the importance of focusing wider than just the patient’s symptoms of abdominal pain in clinical practice and research.
Resonance frequency analysis of overdenture retainer implants with immediate loading
Authors: da Silva Ronaldo José , Semprini Marisa , da Silva Cláudia Helena Lovato , Siéssere Selma , Chimello Daniela Thomazatti , Bataglion César , Savaris Cristiane , Regalo Simone Cecilio Hallak 
Published: May 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00488.x

Resonance frequency analysis of overdenture retainer implants with immediate loadingObjective:  To evaluate 16 patients of both sexes with lower overdenture and upper complete dentures, by analysing the resonance frequency of the initial and late stability of implants used to retain the overdenture under immediate loading.Background:  Oral rehabilitation treatment with complete dentures using implants has been increasingly more common among the specialists in the oral rehabilitation area. This is an alternative for obtaining retention and stability in treatments involving conventional complete dentures, where two implants are enough to retain the overdenture satisfactorily.Materials and methods:  The Osstell™ Mentor device was used for the analysis in the initial period (primary stability), 3 and 15 months after the installation of the lower overdenture (secondary stability). The statistical analysis was performed with the repeated measures model (p < 0.01).Results:  The implant stability quotients were observed to increase after 15 months of the rehabilitating treatment.Conclusion:  The use of overdentures over two lower implants should become the treatment of choice for individuals who have a fully edentulous mandible.
Recent Advances in the Regulation of Brassinosteroid Signaling and Biosynthesis PathwaysF
Authors: Ye Huaxun , Li Lei , Yin Yanhai 
Published: May 2011

Abstract Yanhai Yin (Corresponding author) Brassinosteroids (BRs) play important roles in plant growth, development and responses to environmental cues. BRs signal through plasma membrane receptor BRI1 and co‐receptor BAK1, and several positive (BSK1, BSU1, PP2A) and negative (BKI1, BIN2 and 14–3‐3) regulators to control the activities of BES1 and BZR1 family transcription factors, which regulate the expression of hundreds to thousands of genes for various BR responses. Recent studies identified novel signaling components in the BR pathways and started to establish the detailed mechanisms on the regulation of BR signaling. In addition, the molecular mechanism and transcriptional network through which BES1 and BZR1 control gene expression and various BR responses are beginning to be revealed. BES1 recruits histone demethylases ELF6 and REF6 as well as a transcription elongation factor IWS1 to regulate target gene expression. Identification of BES1 and BZR1 target genes established a transcriptional network for BR response and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. Recent studies also revealed regulatory mechanisms of BRs in many developmental processes and regulation of BR biosynthesis. Here we provide an overview and discuss some of the most recent progress in the regulation of BR signaling and biosynthesis pathways.
The discovery of the T8.5 dwarf UGPS J0521+3640
Authors: Burningham Ben , Lucas P. W. , Leggett S. K. , Smart R. , Baker D. , Pinfield D. J. , Tinney C. G. , Homeier D. , Allard F. , Zhang Z. H. , Gomes J. , Day-Jones A. C. , Jones H. R. A. , Kovács G. , Lodieu N. , Marocco F. , Murray D. N. , Sipőcz B. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
We have carried out a search for late-type T dwarfs in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey Galactic Plane Survey 6th Data Release. The search yielded two persuasive candidates, both of which have been confirmed as T dwarfs. The brightest, UGPS J0521+3640, has been assigned the spectral type T8.5 and appears to lie at a distance of 7–9 pc. The fainter of the two, UGPS J0652+0324, is classified as a T5.5 dwarf and lies at an estimated distance of 28–37 pc. Warm-Spitzer observations in IRAC channels 1 and 2, taken as part of the GLIMPSE360 Legacy Survey, are available for UGPS J0521+3640 and we used these data with the near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate its properties. We find best-fitting solar metallicity BT-Settl models for Teff= 600 and 650 K and log g= 4.5 and 5.0. These parameters suggest a mass between 14 and 32MJ for an age between 1 and 5 Gyr. The proximity of this very cool T dwarf, and its location in the Galactic plane, makes it an ideal candidate for high-resolution adaptive optics imaging to search for cool companions.
Analytical relation between two chaos indicators: FLI and MEGNO
Authors: Mestre M. F. , Cincotta P. M. , Giordano C. M. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
We report an intrinsic relation between the mean exponential growth factor of nearby orbits (MEGNO) and the fast Lyapunov indicator (FLI), two variational methods that have been widely applied to stability issues in astronomy. For both continuous-time and discrete-time systems, we arrive at an analytic formula that expresses the MEGNO in terms of the FLI and its time-average. This connection, unknown for more than 10 years, allows us to understand the differences and similarities in the performance of both indicators.
Recombinant WNTs differentially activate β‐catenin‐dependent and ‐independent signalling in mouse microglia‐like cells
Authors: Kilander M. B. C. , Halleskog C. , Schulte G. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different recombinant, commercially available Wingless/Int‐1 (WNTs) with regard to WNT/β‐catenin signalling, dishevelled (DVL) and G protein activation and the induction of cell proliferation in a microglia‐like cell line called N13.Methods:  For detection of activated signalling molecules, cell lysates are analysed by immunoblotting. Furthermore, we used a [γ35S] GTP binding assay to monitor the exchange of GDP for GTP in heterotrimeric G proteins in N13 membrane preparations. Cell proliferation was assessed by the 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay measuring mitochondrial function, which is proportional to the amount of viable cells.Results:  Of the WNTs tested (WNT‐3A, ‐4, ‐5A, ‐5B, ‐7A,‐9B), only WNT‐3A activated WNT/β‐catenin signalling in N13 cells. All WNTs induced the formation of Phosphorylated and Shifted DVL (PS‐DVL) and the activation of heterotrimeric G proteins with variable efficacies. WNT‐5A and WNT‐9B, which had the highest efficacy in the G protein assay, also induced N13 cell proliferation.Conclusion:  WNTs show significant differences in their efficacy to activate β‐catenin‐dependent and ‐independent signalling. The WNTs tested are present during maturation of the central nervous system and/or in the adult brain and are thus potential regulators of microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation.
Effect of Pilot‐Scale Aseptic Processing on Tomato Soup Quality Parameters
Authors: Colle Ines J.P. , Andrys Anna , Grundelius Andrea , Lemmens Lien , Löfgren Anders , Van Buggenhout Sandy , Van Loey Ann , Hendrickx Marc 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  Tomatoes are often processed into shelf‐stable products. However, the different processing steps might have an impact on the product quality. In this study, a model tomato soup was prepared and the impact of pilot‐scale aseptic processing, including heat treatment and high‐pressure homogenization, on some selected quality parameters was evaluated. The vitamin C content, the lycopene isomer content, and the lycopene bioaccessibility were considered as health‐promoting attributes. As a structural characteristic, the viscosity of the tomato soup was investigated. A tomato soup without oil as well as a tomato soup containing 5% olive oil were evaluated. Thermal processing had a negative effect on the vitamin C content, while lycopene degradation was limited. For both compounds, high‐pressure homogenization caused additional losses. High‐pressure homogenization also resulted in a higher viscosity that was accompanied by a decrease in lycopene bioaccessibility. The presence of lipids clearly enhanced the lycopene isomerization susceptibility and improved the bioaccessibility.Practical Application:  The results obtained in this study are of relevance for product formulation and process design of tomato‐based food products.
Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Lantana and Sweet Pepper Seeds and Nabak Seed Kernels
Authors: Embaby Hassan El‐Sayed , Mokhtar Sayed Mohamed 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  Chemical analysis was carried out on lantana (Lantana camara) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds and nabak (Zizyphus spina‐christi) seed kernels. The proximate analysis (on dry weight basis) of sweet pepper seeds, lantana seeds, and nabak seed kernels showed the following composition: moisture 70.95%, 17.27%, and 4.22%; ash 4.88%, 1.81%, and 3.51%; fat 19.57%, 11.0%, and 30.19%; crude protein 19.28%, 6.3%, and 38.2%; and carbohydrate 56.3%, 80.9%, and 28.1%, respectively. For minerals, potassium was the most abundant element, followed by phosphorus and sodium. Also, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese were detected. Analysis of amino acids revealed that the first limiting amino acid was valine, for both lantana and sweet pepper seeds, but it was threonine for nabak seed kernels. Antinutritional compounds, including, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, and tannins, were detected in all seeds. Results of fatty acid compositions showed that the major fatty acid was oleic acid in both lantana (48.73%) and nabak oils (53.25%), but it was linoleic acid in sweet pepper oil (71.55%). Moreover, the degree of unsaturation of these oils was close to that of common vegetable oils. In all oils, there was absorbance in the ultraviolet (UV)‐B and UV‐C ranges with potential for use as broad spectrum UV protectants. It can be inferred that the seeds investigated are good sources of crude fat, crude protein, ash, carbohydrate, and some minerals. Furthermore, the oil extracts could be useful as edible oils and for industrial applications.Practical Application:  The nutritional composition of the investigated seeds suggested that they could be used to meet part of the nutritional requirements of animal feeds. Also, they could be regarded as good sources of food ingredients and as new sources of edible oils.
Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitors Separated from Oiltea Camellia by High‐Speed Counter‐Current Chromatography
Authors: Chen Qiuping , Luo Xiaowei , Ma Xiaofeng , Jiang Tianjia , Lu Baiyi , Shen Jianfu , Zhang Ying 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  The inhibitory effects of oiltea camellia extracts (OCEs) and its active components on fatty acid synthase (FAS) were investigated. OCE potently inhibited the activity of FAS with an half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 2.30 μg/mL. The inhibition kinetic results showed that OCE and acetyl‐CoA competitively inhibited FAS but these compounds exhibited mixed inhibition against malonyl‐CoA and NADPH. Further study uncovered that the active components of OCE, ellagic acid (EA) and 3‐O‐methylellagic acid 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (MEAG), which were isolated and purified by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) using a 2‐phase solvent system of chloroform‐ethanol‐water‐acetic acid (4:3:2:0.01, v/v/v/v), inhibited FAS with IC50 of 2.50 and 37.73 μg/mL, respectively. Their inhibition kinetics were different from that of OCE. Both of them exhibited uncompetitive inhibition for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and decreased the FAS activity through inactivation of acetyl/malonyl transferase on FAS. These results suggest that OCE could be a valuable resource for bioactive substances.Practical Application:  With the gradual increase in tea oil production, it was in urgent need of dealing with Camellia fruit hull, which was always discarded because of low economic benefits. Camellia fruit hull has been shown to have significant antioxidant effects including 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging ability and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power. This study found that the ethanolic extract of Camellia fruit hull at low concentration efficiently inhibited FAS activity, which is a potential therapy target of both obesity and cancer. These results suggest that OCE could be a valuable resource for bioactive substances.
Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Production of the Jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Spirit Using the Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Duarte Whasley Ferreira , Amorim Juliana Cunha , de Assis Lago Lilian , Dias Disney Ribeiro , Schwan Rosane Freitas 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  The jabuticaba tree (Brazilian grape tree) is a tree native to Brazil that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. The jabuticaba fruit is used in some regions of Brazil to produce juices, jams, wine, and ice cream. In this work, the fermentation conditions (temperature and °Brix) for producing jabuticaba distillate were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for fermentation were found to be 20 °C and 22 °Brix. In repeated experiments to validate the model, experimental data exhibited good agreement with the predicted data. The distillate jabuticaba beverage showed a peculiar chemical composition with 20 volatile compounds that were identified and quantified. Isoamyl alcohols (2‐methyl‐1‐butanol + 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol) were the most abundant volatile compounds identified in jabuticaba spirit. Sensory analysis by tasters showed overall approval of jabuticaba distillate. In principal component analysis, when the beverage was evaluated by panelists under 24 y old tended to give favorable ratings of aroma and taste, as well as high overall scores. The group of panelists between the ages of 25 and 53 y old generally gave high marks for appearance in the principal component analysis.Practical Application:  This study describes the study of fermentation conditions of jabuticaba pulp for production of jabuticaba spirit. Based on the results of this work, the proposed method can be an alternative for the use of the jabuticaba fruit, and may provide a new industrial outlet for this fruit.
Determination of Lactic Microflora of Kefir Grains and Kefir Beverage by Using Culture‐Dependent and Culture‐Independent Methods
Authors: Kesmen Zülal , Kacmaz Nazife 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  In this study, we investigated the bacterial compositions of kefir grains and kefir beverages collected from different regions of Turkey by using culture‐independent and culture‐dependent methods. In the culture‐independent detection, 10 different species of bacteria were detected in total by using the polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene V3 region. Among these species, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens was the most dominant one in the kefir grains, while Lactococcus lactis was found to be significantly prevalent in the kefir beverages. In the culture‐dependent detection, the primary differentiation and grouping of the isolates from kefir beverages and kefir grains were performed using repetitive sequence‐based PCR (rep‐PCR) fingerprinting, and the results were validated by 16S rDNA full‐length sequencing. According to the results of culture‐dependent methods, the most frequently isolated species were L. lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Lactobacillus kefiri, respectively. Only 3 species, which are L. lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus thermophilus, were detected with both culture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods. This study showed that the combination of both methods is necessary for a detailed and reliable investigation of microbial communities in kefir grains and kefir beverages.Practical Application:  Due to their artisan‐ and region‐dependent microflora, kefir products can be a source of interesting lactic acid bacteria, either new taxa or strains with specific functional properties, which might be used for the development of new starter cultures and innovative food products. Therefore, an increasing demand exists for new strains that show desirable effects on the product characteristics Artisan dairy products are a candidate source of such microorganisms. For this reason, in this study, the bacterial compositions of kefir grains and kefir beverages obtained from different regions of Turkey were studied using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent molecular methods.