bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A national outbreak of verotoxin-producingEscherichia coliO157 associated with consumption of lemon-and-coriander chicken wraps from a supermarket chain
Authors: WHITTAKER P. J. , SOPWITH W. , QUIGLEY C. , GILLESPIE I. , WILLSHAW G. A. , LYCETT C. , SURMAN-LEE S. , BAXTER D. , ADAK G. K. , SYED Q. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYA national outbreak of verotoxin-producingEscherichia coliO157 infection affected five English regions and Wales. Twelve cases were associated with lemon-and-coriander chicken wrap from a single supermarket chain consumed over a 5-day period. An outbreak investigation aimed to identify the source of infection. Descriptive epidemiology and phenotypic and genotypic tests on human isolates indicated a point-source outbreak; a case-control study showed a very strong association between consumption of lemon-and-coriander chicken wrap from the single supermarket chain and being a case (OR 46·40, 95% CI 5·39–∞,P=0·0002). Testing of raw ingredients, products and faecal samples from staff in the food production unit did not yield any positive results. The outbreak was probably caused by one contaminated batch of an ingredient in the chicken wrap. Even when current best practice is in place, ready-to-eat foods can still be a risk for widespread infection.
Type-safe pattern combinators
Authors: RHIGER MORTEN 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMacros still haven't made their way into typed higher-order programming languages such as Haskell and Standard ML. Therefore, to extend the expressiveness of Haskell or Standard ML, one must express new linguistic features in terms of functions that fit within the static type systems of these languages. This is particularly challenging when introducing features that span across multiple types and that bind variables. We address this challenge by developing, in a step by step manner, mechanisms for encoding patterns and pattern matching in Haskell in a type-safe way.
The well-being of children in food-insecure households: results from The Eastern Caribbean Child Vulnerability Study 2005
Authors: Racine Elizabeth F , Jemison Kyle , Huber Larissa R , Arif Ahmed A 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between food insecurity and child well-being indicators.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted in 2344 households with children. The main exposure measure was food insecurity status, which was categorized as food secure or food insecure based on two or more food insecurity questions answered in the affirmative. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between food insecurity status and selected child well-being indicators.SettingBarbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (hereafter St. Vincent), three Eastern Caribbean countries, 2005.SubjectsA random sample of households with children was identified by the governments of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. In-home interviews were conducted by social workers.ResultsOne-third (33 %) of households were categorized as food insecure. Food-insecure households were more likely to include a chronically ill parent (OR = 2·48; 95 % CI 1·76, 3·49), a recently divorced parent (OR = 1·92; 95 % CI 1·21, 3·05), a child requiring multiple visits to a health-care provider for a disability (OR = 3·98; 95 % CI 1·20, 13·19) or injury (OR = 1·78; 95 % CI 1·12, 2·83), a child with a learning disability (OR = 2·08; 95 % CI 1·16, 3·74) or a child with a physical disability (OR = 2·54; 95 % CI 1·22, 5·32) after adjustment for poverty and other demographic variables.ConclusionsThe results indicate that food-insecure households were more likely to be burdened by child disability (learning and physical), family system disruption (recent divorce and chronic illness) and child health-care needs (for disability and injury) than food-secure households. The implementation of programmes and policies to minimize food insecurity in the Eastern Caribbean may be warranted.
Two-year controlled effectiveness trial of a school-based intervention to prevent obesity in Chilean children
Authors: Kain Juliana , Leyton Barbara , Cerda Ricardo , Vio Fernando , Uauy Ricardo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveObesity prevalence among Chilean children is 19·4 %. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a school-based obesity prevention programme.DesignNon-randomized controlled study. The intervention included activities in nutrition and physical activity, fully applied the first year and partially in the second one. Primary outcomes were BMI Z-score (BMIZ) and obesity prevalence; secondary outcomes were waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. Time effects were assessed by changes in BMI-related variables by gender and period (ANOVA and Tukey test), while intervention effects were determined by comparing changes in (i) obesity prevalence by gender and period (PROC GENMOD) and (ii) BMIZ according gender, age and period (PROC MIXED).SettingPrimary schools in the Chilean cities of Casablanca (intervention group) and Quillota (control group).SubjectsOne thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine children from three schools (intervention group) and 671 from one school (control group).ResultsOver the two years, obesity prevalence and BMIZ declined significantly in the intervention group; from 17·0 % to 12·3 % and 14·1 % to 10·3 % in boys and girls, respectively, and from 0·62 to 0·53 and 0·64 to 0·58, respectively. In the control group, obesity remained stable at about 21 % and 15 %, while BMIZ increased significantly in the second year. BMIZ declined in both genders and all age categories in the intervention group during the first year (significant only in younger boys). No changes occurred during the summer, while during the second year, BMIZ increased in boys and girls from both groups (significant only in the younger control boys). Obesity declined significantly only in boys during the first year.ConclusionEffectiveness was greater in the first school year and more evident in younger boys.
Validation of an FFQ for evaluation of EPA and DHA intake
Authors: Lucas Michel , Asselin Geneviève , Mérette Chantal , Poulin Marie-Josée , Dodin Sylvie 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo validate an FFQ for the assessment of dietary EPA and DHA against their relative concentrations in red blood cells (RBC).DesignCross-sectional analysis of baseline data. Intakes of marine food products and EPA and DHA were estimated by FFQ on the basis of consumption of marine food products in the last month. Fatty acid composition of RBC membranes was quantified by GC.SettingSaint-François d’Assise Hospital, Québec, Canada.SubjectsA total of sixty-five middle-aged women who participated in a randomized clinical trial.ResultsSpearman’s correlation coefficient between intake of EPA, DHA and EPA + DHA and their corresponding concentration in RBC was 0·46, 0·40 and 0·42, respectively (allP< 0·05). Multiple regression analysis of EPA+DHA intake and RBC EPA + DHA concentration indicated positive and significant correlations for oily fish (β= 0·44, 95 % CI 0·16, 0·72,P= 0·0027), total fish (β= 0·42, 95 % CI 0·19, 0·64,P= 0·0005) and marine food products (β= 0·42, 95 % CI 0·20, 0·64,P= 0·0003). No other marine food products significantly predicted RBC EPA + DHA concentration.ConclusionsAlthough the present validation study was undertaken among middle-aged women with low consumption of marine food products (<3 servings/week), our FFQ provided estimates of EPA and DHA intakes that correlated fairly well with their RBC concentrations. However, the absence of correlations between EPA + DHA intakes from different marine species suggests that a minimum EPA + DHA intake is necessary to observe a relationship with RBC EPA + DHA concentrations.
Determinants of ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors as iron status parameters in young adult women
Authors: Pynaert Ilse , De Bacquer Dirk , Matthys Christophe , Delanghe Joris , Temmerman Marleen , De Backer Guy , De Henauw Stefaan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate associations between nutritional and non-nutritional variables and Fe status parameters, i.e. serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR).DesignCross-sectional design. Fe status parameters were determined on a fasting venous blood sample. Nutritional variables were assessed using a 2 d food record and non-nutritional variables by a general questionnaire. A general linear model was used to investigate associations between the variables and Fe status parameters.SettingRegion of Ghent, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.SubjectsRandom sample of 788 women (aged 18–39 years).ResultsMedian (interquartile range) ferritin and sTfR were 26·3 (15·9, 48·9) ng/ml and 1·11 (0·95, 1·30) mg/l, respectively. BMI and alcohol intake were positively associated and tea intake was negatively associated with serum ferritin. Women who used a non-hormonal intra-uterine device, who gave blood within the past year or who had been pregnant within the past year had lower serum ferritin values than their counterparts. Significant determinants of sTfR were smoking habit and pregnancy, with higher values for non-smokers and women who had been pregnant within the past year.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that contraceptive use, time since last blood donation, time since last pregnancy, BMI, alcohol and tea intake are determinants of Fe stores, whereas smoking habit and time since last pregnancy are determinants of tissue Fe needs. When developing strategies to improve Fe status, special attention should be given to women who use a non-hormonal intra-uterine device, gave blood within the past year and had been pregnant within the past year.
Hypercytokinemia: Increased or decreased innate immunity?
Authors: Watve Milind , Mandani Sonam , Belsare Prajakta 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ which secretes proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines resulting into raised serum levels. Hypercytokinemia has been interpreted as raised level of innate immunity and its evolution is interpreted as a response to increased chances of infection under starvation conditions in which the thrifty phenotype evolved. If starvation and infection challenges co-occurred during hunter gatherer life, thrifty genotype and infection resistant genotype may have co-evolved. An inherent weakness of this explanation is that in obesity or insulin resistance there is no evidence of increased resistance to infections. The raised levels of inflammatory cytokines have not been demonstrated to combat infections or enhance wound healing. We suggest that the raised chemokine levels actually decrease peripheral innate immunity. The normal movement of monocyte-macrophages and neutrophils from blood vessels to injured tissue is under a chemokine gradient. A gradient results from the difference between the basal levels of chemokines and those secreted by the injured tissue. Increase in the basal level is expected to weaken the gradient thereby decreasing extravasation and infiltration. Using diffusion kinetics we show that a small rise in basal levels can cause substantial reduction in cell infiltration. This interpretation is consistent with the behavioural switch hypothesis proposed by Watve and Yajnik which suggests that obesity and insulin resistance mark a transition from “soldier” to “diplomat” lifestyle. Hypercytokinemia may have evolved as a mechanism of disinvestment in peripheral innate immunity since the diplomat lifestyle is less injury prone. We evaluate the two alternative hypotheses by available evidence.
Obesity as a perceived social signal
Authors: Mankar Manasee , Joshi Radhika , Belsare Prajakta , Jog Maithili , Watve Milind 
Published: December 2008

AbstractFat accumulation has been classically considered as a means of energy storage. Obese people are theorized as metabolically ‘thrifty’, saving energy during times of food abundance. However, recent research has highlighted many neuro-behavioral and social aspects of obesity, with a suggestion that obesity, abdominal obesity in particular, may have evolved as a social signal. We tested here whether body proportions, and abdominal obesity in particular, are perceived as signals revealing personality traits. Faceless drawings of three male body forms namely lean, muscular and feminine, each with and without abdominal obesity were shown in a randomized order to a group of 222 respondents. A list of 30 different adjectives or short descriptions of personality traits was given to each respondent and they were asked to allocate the most appropriate figure to each of them independently. The traits included those directly related to physique, those related to nature, attitude and moral character and also those related to social status. For 29 out of the 30 adjectives people consistently attributed specific body forms. Based on common choices, the 30 traits could be clustered into distinct ‘personalities’ which were strongly associated with particular body forms. A centrally obese figure was perceived as “lethargic, greedy, political, money-minded, selfish and rich”. The results show that body proportions are perceived to reflect personality traits and this raises the possibility that in addition to energy storage, social selection may have played some role in shaping the biology of obesity.
Peroxiredoxin 4knockout results in elevated spermatogenic cell death via oxidative stress
Authors: Iuchi Yoshihito , Okada Futoshi , Tsunoda Satoshi , Kibe Noriko , Shirasawa Nobuyuki , Ikawa Masahito , Okabe Masaru , Ikeda Yoshitaka , Fujii Junichi 
Published: December 2008

Prx (peroxiredoxin) is a multifunctional redox protein with thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase activity. Prx4 is present as a secretory protein in most tissues, whereas in sexually mature testes it is anchored in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membrane of spermatogenic cells via an uncleaved N-terminal hydrophobic peptide. We generated a Prx4 knockout mouse to investigate the function of Prx4 in vivo. Prx4−/y mice lacking Prx4 expression in all cells were obtained by mating Prx4flox/+ female mice with Cre-transgenic male mice that ubiquitously expressed Cre recombinase. The resulting Prx4−/y male mice were fertile, and most organs were nearly normal in size, except for testicular atrophy. The number of deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling-positive spermatogenic cells was higher in Prx4−/y mice than in Prx4+/y mice and increased remarkably in response to warming the lower abdomen at 43 °C for 15 min. Cells reactive to antibodies against 4-hydroxynonenal and 8-hydroxyguanine were high in the Prx4−/y mice and concomitant with elevated oxidation of lipid and protein thiols. The cauda epididymis of Prx4−/y mice contained round spermatocytes, which were not found in Prx4+/y mice, and displayed oligozoospermia. However, mature spermatozoa from the epididymis of Prx4−/y mice exhibited normal fertilization In vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that spermatogenic cells lacking Prx4 are more susceptible to cell death via oxidative damage than their wild-type counterparts. Our results suggest that the presence of Prx4, most likely the membrane-bound form, is important for spermatogenesis, but not an absolute requisite.
Julien Macho et Jean Baudoin relus par François le Moine: Étude de contenu
Authors: Puttero Giorgia 
Published: December 2008

François le Moine, avocat presque méconnu de Rouen, est l’auteur d’un fablier laissé manuscrit, daté de 1656 et
intitulé Les fables d’Esope et autres fables de divers Auteurs. Les sources auxquelles Le Moine a puisé
son inspiration ont été savamment repérées par Gianni Mombello; il s’agit de Jean Baudoin, de Julien Macho, du prieur
Audin, de Mathurin Reigner.
Notre analyse se propose de comprendre comment maître Le Moine a adapté le texte de Jean Baudoin et celui plus ancien de Julien
Macho, en mettant en lumière l’emploi de certaines techniques littéraires, telles le décalque ou l’emboîtement. Les
résultats littéraires auxquels notre auteur aboutit se révèlent assez surprenants.
INFRARED SPECTRA OF DUST AGGREGATES IN COMETARY COMAE: CALCULATION WITH OLIVINE FORMED BY EXOTHERMIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Authors: Kimura Hiroshi , Chigai Takeshi , Yamamoto Tetsuo 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Mineralogy of cometary dust plays an important role in understanding the formation and evolution of comets, the most primitive objects in the solar system. A correct interpretation of infrared spectra observed for cometary comae is the key to success in identifying mineral constituents of cometary dust. However, the composition, size, and structure of cometary dust might have been misinterpreted in previous studies, owing to a lack of a unique solution in their analyses of infrared spectra. We present a semianalytic method to compute infrared spectra for large aggregate particles consisting of submicrometer size grains inclusive of crystalline minerals. The method is applied to calculate the absorption cross section of primordial interstellar dust that is processed in a cometary coma. The processed interstellar dust is here modeled as clusters of concentrically stratified spheres consisting of an organic refractory outer mantle, an olivine inner mantle, and an amorphous silicate core. Spectral variations in the absorption cross sections for porous aggregates with a forsterite layer exhibit noticeable features at all the wavelengths where mineral features are observed in the infrared spectra of cometary comae. In contrast, the observed infrared spectra of cometary comae show no evidence for the presence of fayalite in cometary dust. Infrared observations of cometary comae are consistent with the picture that cometary nuclei contain primordial interstellar dust as well as interstellar ices.
Imitation, Language and Nation in Joachim Du Bellay's
Deffence
Authors: Keller Marcus 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Du Bellay's
Deffence et illustration de la langue francoyse
(1549) not only testifies to the poet's patriotism, but also entails an intricate reflection on language and nation which complicates and raises difficult questions about their relationship. This article demonstrates how Du Bellay conceptualizes language and nation as imaginary entities shifting between culture and nature by creating a deep and broad analogy between the two. The ultimately indeterminate origin of language poses the serious quandary of the nation's lack of origin and originality. Du Bellay resolves this and other issues in part by deploying the fruit and the graft as tropes of both culture and nature. Through these metaphors he indirectly proposes the literary practice of imitation as a general cultural procedure to transform what is foreign into the national, even though the nature of imitation remains as obscure as the origin of language and nation.
Evidence of a genetic cline for Sardina pilchardus along the Northwest African coast
Authors: Chlaida M. , Laurent V. , Kifani S. , Benazzou T. , Jaziri H. , Planes S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractChlaida, M., Laurent, V., Kifani, S., Benazzou, T., Jaziri, H., and Planes, S. 2009. Evidence of a genetic cline for Sardina pilchardus along the Northwest African coast. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 264–271. In all, 700 Sardina pilchardus from 14 locations throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean Moroccan coastlines were screened for eight enzymatic loci that show polymorphism. Analysis of allelic frequencies showed a genetic break in the area of the Bay of Agadir, segregating two groups of samples, confirmed by analysis of molecular variance; a first consisting of Sidi Ifni (29°12′N) and southern samples down to the southern limit of the species in Mauritania (19°03′N 16°28′W), and a second starting in the Bay of Agadir (30°48′N) and consisting of northern samples that appeared homogeneous with the Mediterranean samples. Specifically, a survey of the SOD* loci demonstrated a genetic cline in allelic frequencies along the coastline. Using a clinal variation model under a state of equilibrium, we estimate a dispersal rate of 189 ± 52 km per generation between Mauritania and Ras Kebdana. This major break towards the south of the Bay of Agadir offers a new perspective on the management of sardine, which ideally ought now to be managed as two stocks along the Moroccan coast. The break is most likely induced by hydrodynamic influences that virtually isolate southern from northern populations.
Phosphate Availability Alters Lateral Root Development inArabidopsisby Modulating Auxin Sensitivity via a Mechanism Involving the TIR1 Auxin Receptor
Authors: Pérez-Torres Claudia-Anahí , López-Bucio José , Cruz-Ramírez Alfredo , Ibarra-Laclette Enrique , Dharmasiri Sunethra , Estelle Mark , Herrera-Estrella Luis 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe survival of plants, as sessile organisms, depends on a series of postembryonic developmental events that determine the final architecture of plants and allow them to contend with a continuously changing environment. Modulation of cell differentiation and organ formation by environmental signals has not been studied in detail. Here, we report that alterations in the pattern of lateral root (LR) formation and emergence in response to phosphate (Pi) availability is mediated by changes in auxin sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. These changes alter the expression of auxin-responsive genes and stimulate pericycle cells to proliferate. Modulation of auxin sensitivity by Pi was found to depend on the auxin receptor TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1 (TIR1) and the transcription factor AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR19 (ARF19). We determined that Pi deprivation increases the expression of TIR1 in Arabidopsis seedlings and causes AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (AUX/IAA) auxin response repressors to be degraded. Based on our results, we propose a model in which auxin sensitivity is enhanced in Pi-deprived plants by an increased expression of TIR1, which accelerates the degradation of AUX/IAA proteins, thereby unshackling ARF transcription factors that activate/repress genes involved in LR formation and emergence.
The global alcohol industry: an overview
Authors: Jernigan David H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAims To describe the globalized sector of the alcoholic beverage industry, including its size, principal actors and activities.Methods Market research firms and business journalism are the primary sources for information about the global alcohol industry, and are used to profile the size and membership of the three main industry sectors of beer, distilled spirits and wine.Findings Branded alcoholic beverages are approximately 38% of recorded alcohol consumption world‐wide. Producers of these beverages tend to be large multi‐national corporations reliant on marketing for their survival. Marketing activities include traditional advertising as well as numerous other activities, such as new product development, product placement and the creation and promotion of social responsibility programs, messages and organizations.Conclusions The global alcohol industry is highly concentrated and innovative. There is relatively little public health research evaluating the impact of its many marketing activities.