bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Percentage Body Fat in Rural Thai Population Using Simple Anthropometric Measurements
Authors: Pongchaiyakul Chatlert , Kosulwat Vongsvat , Rojroongwasinkul Nipa , Charoenkiatkul Somsri , Thepsuthammarat Kaewjai , Laopaiboon Malinee , Nguyen Tuan V. , Rajatanavin Rajata 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To develop and validate sex‐specific equations for predicting percentage body fat (%BF) in rural Thai population, based on BMI and anthropometric measurements.Research Methods and Procedures: %BF (DXA; GE Lunar Corp., Madison, WI) was measured in 181 men and 255 women who were healthy and between 20 and 84 years old. Anthropometric measures such as weight (kilograms), height (centimeters), BMI (kilograms per meter squared), waist circumference (centimeters), hip circumference (centimeters), thickness at triceps skinfold (millimeters), biceps skinfold (millimeters), subscapular skinfold (millimeters), and suprailiac skinfold (millimeters) were also measured. The sample was randomly divided into a development group (98 men and 125 women) and a validation group (83 men and 130 women). Regression equations of %BF derived from the development group were then evaluated for accuracy in the validation group.Results: The equation for estimating %BF in men was: %BF(men) = 0.42 × subscapular skinfold + 0.62 × BMI − 0.28 × biceps skinfold + 0.17 × waist circumference − 18.47, and in women: %BF(women) = 0.42 × hip circumference + 0.17 × suprailiac skinfold + 0.46 × BMI − 23.75. The coefficient of determination (R2) for both equations was 0.68. Without anthropometric variables, the predictive equation using BMI, age, and sex was: %BF = 1.65 × BMI + 0.06 × age − 15.3 × sex − 10.67 (where sex = 1 for men and sex = 0 for women), with R2 = 0.83. When these equations were applied to the validation sample, the difference between measured and predicted %BF ranged between ±9%, and the positive predictive values were above 0.9.Discussion: These results suggest that simple, noninvasive, and inexpensive anthropometric variables may provide an accurate estimate of %BF and could potentially aid the diagnosis of obesity in rural Thais.
Intentional Weight Loss in Young Adults: Sex‐Specific Genetic and Environmental Effects
Authors: Keski‐Rahkonen Anna , Neale Benjamin M. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Rose Richard J. , Kaprio Jaakko , Rissanen Aila 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To explore eating styles associated with intentional weight loss (IWL) and to determine whether the genetic liability in IWL is entirely shared with genetic liability affecting BMI.Research Methods and Procedures: As part of a longitudinal assessment of various health‐related behaviors in a large population‐based sample of twins, eating styles, BMI, and the number of times the study participants had intentionally lost ≥5 kg were assessed by questionnaire from 4667 male and female twins (22 to 27 years of age). Associations of eating styles and IWL were explored using polytomous logistic regression models adjusted for BMI. Sex‐specific bivariate structural equation modeling was used to explore genetic and environmental correlations of BMI and IWL.Results: Individuals who had engaged in IWL exhibited markedly more restricting, overeating, and alternating restricting/overeating than those in the no‐IWL group. Snacking and eating in the evening were characteristic of women with at least two IWL attempts. Eating in response to visual and emotional cues was very pronounced in women who had engaged in IWL but much less so in men. IWL was estimated to have a heritability of 38% [95% confidence interval (CI), 19% to 55%] in men and 66% (95% CI, 55% to 75%) in women. The genetic covariance of BMI and IWL was 0.38 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.47) for men and 0.45 (95% CI, 0.41 to 0.52) for women.Discussion: Distinct sex differences exist in eating styles associated with IWL and in the heritability of IWL. Most genetic factors affecting BMI are different from those affecting IWL.
An SNP in the Adiponectin Gene Is Associated with Decreased Serum Adiponectin Levels and Risk for Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: González‐Sánchez José L. , Zabena Carina A. , Martínez‐Larrad María T. , Fernández‐Pérez Cristina , Pérez‐Barba Milagros , Laakso Markku , Serrano‐Ríos Manuel 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAdiponectin is a plasma protein produced by the adipose tissue. Hypoadiponectinemia has been associated with insulin resistance and several components of the metabolic syndrome (MS): type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions 45 and 276 in the adiponectin gene were associated with features of the MS in 747 unrelated Spanish subjects. The G allele of SNP45 and the G/G genotype of SNP276 were associated with impaired glucose tolerance (p = 0.020 and 0.042, respectively). The G/G genotype for SNP276 was associated with lower serum adiponectin levels as compared with the G/T and T/T genotypes (G/G, 10.10 ± 0.24 μg/mL; G/T, 10.98 ± 0.32 μg/mL; T/T, 12.00 ± 0.92 μg/mL; p = 0.015) even after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, homeostasis model assessment index, and the degree of glucose tolerance (p = 0.040). We found a significant negative association of circulating adiponectin levels with waist‐to‐hip ratio (r = −0.42, p < 0.001), sagittal abdominal diameter (r = −0.24, p < 0.001), triglycerides (r = −0.32, p < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment index (r = −0.14, p = 0.001), and uric acid (r = −0.36, p < 0.001) and positive association with high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that serum adiponectin levels are associated with several components of the MS. The SNP276 of the adiponectin gene may affect impaired glucose tolerance and hypoadiponectinemia.
Differential Expression of the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor and Gremlin During Adipogenesis
Authors: Wade F. Marlene , Wakade Chandramohan , Mahesh Virendra B. , Brann Darrell W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study used the mRNA differential display technique to identify differentially expressed genes during the process of adipogenesis in the preadipocyte cell line, 3T3‐L1. 3T3‐L1 cells were treated with dexamethasone, isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine, and insulin to induce differentiation into mature adipocytes. Cells were collected at three time‐points during differentiation: Day 0 (d0), or nondifferentiated; Day 3 (d3), during differentiation; and Day 10 (d10), >90% of the cells had differentiated into mature adipocytes. Initial studies yielded 18 potentially differentially regulated cDNA candidates (8 down‐regulated and 10 up‐regulated). Reverse Northern and Northern blots confirmed differential expression of six of the candidates. Four of the candidates up‐regulated on d3 and d10 were identified by sequence analysis to be lipoprotein lipase, a well‐known marker of adipocyte differentiation. A fifth candidate that was expressed in d0, but not d3 or d10, was identified as DRM/gremlin, a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist. Finally, a sixth candidate that was increased at d3 and d10 was identified as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, which has been implicated in proliferation, differentiation, and cholesterol transport in cells. This study is the first to show that peripheral benzodiazepine receptor and DRM/gremlin are expressed in preadipocyte cell lines and that they are differentially regulated during adipogenesis.
Change in Vascular Adhesion Protein‐1 and Metabolic Phenotypes after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty for Morbid Obesity
Authors: Li Hung‐Yuan , Lee Wei‐Jei , Chen Mei‐Ju , Chuang Lee‐Ming 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: The association between circulating vascular adhesion protein‐1 (VAP‐1) and metabolic phenotypes has been shown to be inconsistent. The current study explored whether the changes in serum VAP‐1 levels correlate with the changes in metabolic phenotypes after weight reduction surgery.Research Methods and Procedures: Clinical characteristics and serum VAP‐1 levels in 20 morbidly obese subjects (mean BMI 38.84 kg/m2) were measured before and after vertical banded gastroplasty.Results: Before surgery, serum VAP‐1 levels correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose (γ = 0.56, p = 0.01) and negatively with insulin levels (γ = −0.51, p = 0.021). After surgery, the changes in serum VAP‐1 levels were negatively correlated with the changes in waist circumference (γ = −0.57, p = 0.011), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (γ = −0.56, p = 0.015), and mean arterial pressure (γ = −0.46, p = 0.055). In multivariate regression, serum VAP‐1 levels were negatively correlated with waist circumference (β = −2.36, p = 0.014) and DBP (β = −3.02, p = 0.017) after adjusting for age and gender. The change in DBP was negatively correlated with the change in VAP‐1 levels after adjusting for age, gender, and steady‐state plasma glucose.Discussion: The results suggest that VAP‐1 levels are correlated with fasting glucose and insulin levels in morbidly obese subjects. After surgery, the changes in VAP‐1 levels were associated with changes in visceral adiposity and DBP. Serum VAP‐1 might modulate DBP independently from the changes in insulin resistance in morbidly obese people.
Nitric oxide produced in Peyer's patches exhibits antiapoptotic activity contributing to an antimicrobial effect in murine salmonellosis
Authors: Alam Mohammad S. , Zaki Mohammad H. , Sawa Tomohiro , Islam Sabrina , Ahmed Khandaker A. , Fujii Shigemoto , Okamoto Tatsuya , Akaike Takaaki 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT Salmonella species normally infect hosts via the oral‐fecal route. We previously reported that NO had potent host defense functions in murine salmonellosis, not only via a direct antibacterial effect but also because it was cytoprotective for infected host cells. Here, we used an oral route to infect iNOS‐deficient mice infected with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium to further investigate the cytoprotective role of NO in preventing damage caused by Salmonella organisms in PP. Oral bacterial challenge (2 × 105 CFU, or >100 LD50) produced a more severe infection and greater lethality in iNOS‐deficient mice than in iNOS‐competent mice. We used specific antibodies to S. enterica Typhimurium, neutrophils, iNOS, nitrotyrosine, and dendritic cells (CD11c‐positive) in histochemical and immunohistochemical studies to examine infected PP tissues. S. enterica Typhimurium colonization in PP from iNOS‐deficient mice was significantly higher than that in wild‐type mice. Histochemical assays showed extensive cellular damage in PP. We then examined PP tissues for apoptosis by means of in situ TUNEL analysis and by measuring caspase‐3 specific activity in tissue homogenates. Increased numbers of TUNEL‐positive cells and severe granulomatous inflammation with increased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages were observed during infection in iNOS‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice. iNOS‐deficient mice had increased numbers of dendritic cells and significantly higher caspase‐3‐specific activity in PP. These data confirm that NO exerts its protective function not only through direct antibacterial action, but also by preventing apoptosis and thereby contributing to antimicrobial defense during salmonellosis.
In silico prediction and immunological validation of common HLA‐DRB1‐restricted T cell epitopes of Candida albicans secretory aspartyl proteinase 2
Authors: Tongchusak Songsak , Leelayuwat Chanvit , Brusic Vladimir , Chaiyaroj Sansanee C. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTSap2 is the most abundant virulence factor expressed during Candida infection, and the principal protein known to induce antibody response during Candida infection in humans. Its role in T‐cell activation however, has not yet been determined. Sequence analysis revealed that Sap2 contains two variable regions: Var1 and Var2. Computational predictions by the Hotspot Hunter program identified that Var1 contains three candidate T‐cell epitopes, whereas Var2 contains four. Thirty‐nine overlapping peptides of Sap2 were then synthesized, and tested for their ability to induce proliferation of PBMC from 12 donors. Peptides P11, P17 and P31 exhibited significantly higher proliferative indices when compared with those of other peptides or controls. P17 and P31 are located in the areas of prediction, while P11 is not. There were other peptides outside the prediction areas that could stimulate PBMC proliferation at low levels. Nevertheless, the proliferative noise caused by such peptides was ruled out by IL‐2 ELISpot analysis. Only P17 and P31 were shown to induce clonal proliferation of IFN‐γ producing lymphocytes, suggesting that these two peptides contain T cell epitopes. P11, which stimulated IL‐2 producing clones, contains a known B‐cell epitope. Interestingly, P17 and P31 elicited both Th1 and Th2 cell responses with significant numbers of IL‐13 secreting clones in response to stimulation. Taken together, the computer‐based T cell epitope prediction method could identify the immunogenic T cell epitopes of C. albicans Sap2 that promiscuously bind to the HLA‐DRB1 supertype.
Regulation of catalase activity and gene expression duringPhytophthora nicotianaedevelopment and infection of tobacco
Authors: BLACKMAN LEILA M. , HARDHAM ADRIENNE R. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYPlant defence against pathogen attack typically incorporates an oxidative burst involving elevated levels of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. In the present study, we have used an in‐gel assay to monitor the activity of the hydrogen peroxide scavenging enzyme, catalase, during asexual development ofPhytophthora nicotianaeand during infection of host tobacco plants.In vitro, catalase activity is highest in sporulating hyphae;in planta, catalase activity increases dramatically about 8 h after host inoculation. We have cloned and characterized three catalase genes, designatedPnCat1,PnCat2andPnCat3, fromP. nicotianaeand identified their homologues inP. infestans,P. sojaeandP. ramorum. In all three species, Cat2 is predicted to be targeted to the peroxisome and the other catalases are likely to be cytosolic. Quantitative real‐time PCR assessment of catalase transcripts during development and infection indicates that peroxisomalPnCat2is the gene predominantly expressed, with transcript levels peakingin vitroin sporulating hyphae andin plantaincreasing dramatically during the first 24 h after inoculation of susceptible tobacco seedlings. Levels of tobacco catalase gene expression are significantly down‐regulated in susceptible tobacco 4, 8 and 24 h post‐inoculation and in resistant plants at 24 h post‐inoculation. Together, our results give evidence that during infectionP. nicotianaeincreases its own peroxisomal catalase levels while concurrently down‐regulating host catalase expression. This behaviour is consistent with a role of pathogen catalase in counterdefence and protection against oxidative stress and of pathogen‐orchestrated enhanced plant cell death to support necrotrophic pathogen growth and plant colonization.
Co‐proxamol withdrawal has reduced suicide from drugs in Scotland
Authors: Sandilands Euan A. , Bateman D. Nicolas 
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Co‐proxamol is associated with excess mortality in overdose• Legislative change in 2005 has led to a phased withdrawal of co‐proxamol from the UK market WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Co‐proxamol legislation resulted in a marked reduction in the number of prescriptions for co‐proxamol within 6 months• This was followed by a major reduction in mortality associated with co‐proxamol poisoning• Overall mortality from drug poisoning in Scotland has also fallen over the same period, suggesting an effect on total overdose mortalityAIMTo determine what effect the withdrawal of co‐proxamol from the UK market has had on mortality from poisoning in Scotland.METHODSThis was a retrospective, observational study of mortality relating to poisoning by single agents in Scotland for the period 2000–2006. Mortality data were obtained from the General Register Office Scotland, and primary care prescribing data from the Information and Statistics Division of the Scottish Executive Health Department.RESULTSA significant reduction in the proportion of poisoning deaths due to co‐proxamol was observed following legislation [mean 2000–2004, 37 deaths (21.8% of total poisoning deaths); 2006, 10 (7.8%); P < 0.0001]. The most significant reduction was seen in male out‐of‐hospital deaths [mean 2000–2004, 17 (21.8%); 2006, two (2.9%); P < 0.0001]. This was associated with a decline in prescriptions by 60% within 6 months of legislation. The total number of poisoning deaths also fell, slightly earlier than the full impact on co‐proxamol deaths (mean 2000–2004, 171.2; mean 2005–2006, 129.5; P = 0.005).CONCLUSIONSLegislation has resulted in a major reduction in the number of deaths associated with co‐proxamol poisoning in Scotland, with no compensatory rise in mortality from poisonings from other common analgesics. We estimate from this study that a minimum of 300 lives across the UK will have been saved by the withdrawal of co‐proxamol.
Dose‐effect study of domperidone as a galactagogue in preterm mothers with insufficient milk supply, and its transfer into milk
Authors: Wan Elise W‐X. , Davey Kaye , Page‐Sharp Madhu , Hartmann Peter E. , Simmer Karen , Ilett Kenneth F. 
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Domperidone is an effective treatment for some mothers with insufficient milk supply.• However, dose–effect data are not available, and the safety of domperidone use in both mother and infant has been questioned. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Domperidone only increases milk production in about two‐thirds of preterm mothers with insufficient milk supply.• On average, the responders showed increasing levels of milk production with dose escalation from 30 mg to 60 mg daily.• The amount of domperidone that transferred into breast milk was very low, and the risk to the breastfed infant is minimal.AIMSTo investigate the possibility of a dose–response relationship for the use of domperidone in treating insufficient milk supply in mothers of preterm infants, and to quantify the exposure of the breastfed infant to domperidone.METHODSSix preterm mothers received domperidone (30 mg daily or 60 mg daily) in a double‐blind, randomized, crossover trial. Milk production and serum prolactin were measured before and during the trial, and domperidone concentration in milk was measured during drug treatment.RESULTSFor milk production, two of the mothers were ‘nonresponders’, whereas the other four were ‘responders’ and showed a significant increase in milk production from 8.7 ± 3.1 g h−1 in the run‐in phase (mean ± SEM), 23.6 ± 3.9 g h−1 for the 30‐mg dose (P = 0.0217) and 29.4 ± 6.6 g h−1 for the 60‐mg dose (P = 0.0047). In all participants, serum prolactin was significantly increased for both doses, but the response was not dose dependent. Median (interquartile range) domperidone concentrations in milk over a dose interval at steady‐state were 0.28 µg l−1 (0.24–0.43) and 0.49 µg l−1 (0.33–0.72) for the 30‐mg and 60‐mg doses, respectively. The mean relative infant dose was 0.012% at 30 mg daily and 0.009% at 60 mg daily.CONCLUSIONIn one‐third of mothers, domperidone did not increase milk production. In the remainder, milk production increased at both domperidone doses, and there was a trend for a dose–response relationship. The amount of domperidone that transfers into milk was extremely low, and infant exposure via breastfeeding was not considered to be significant.
Badger Meles meles diet: a review of literature from the former Soviet Union
Authors: ROPER T. J. , MICKEVICIUS E. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTWe review 69 studies of the diet of Badgers Meles meles L. in the former Soviet Union, using information from 58 Russian‐language papers. Animal foods occurred more frequently in the diet than vegetal foods and constituted, on average, 62% of all intake by volume. The most important individual food categories were insects (30% by volume) and small mammals (20% by volume), which appear to be staple foods of Badgers over virtually the whole of the former Soviet Union. Earthworms were mentioned in only a few reports and never exceeded 5% of the diet by volume. Other animal foods included birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, molluscs and carrion. Fruits were seasonally important in some areas while roots, tubers, bulbs, cereals and nuts were also eaten; but in general, the Soviet literature lacks detailed information about vegetal foods. Many authors comment on seasonal variation in the diet and there was statistically significant seasonal variation in the frequency with which small mammals, reptiles, insects and vegetal foods were eaten. No largescale geographical trends were apparent in the composition of the diet, but foods which were of minor importance overall, such as reptiles, amphibians and molluscs, were sometimes eaten with high frequency in particular localities. The results support the view that Badgers are opportunistic, generalist foragers, with a preference for animal foods when these are available.
A novel regulatory protein governing biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Chu Frances , Kearns Daniel B. , McLoon Anna , Chai Yunrong , Kolter Roberto , Losick Richard 
Published: April 2008

SummaryProduction of an extracellular matrix is a hallmark of biofilm formation. In the spore‐forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the matrix consists of an exopolysaccharide, which is specified by the epsA–O operon, and a secreted protein TasA, which is encoded by the yqxM‐sipW‐tasA operon. Past and present evidence establish that the epsA–O and yqxM‐sipW‐tasA operons are controlled by the repressor proteins SinR and AbrB. Here, we report the identification of a novel regulatory protein Slr that promotes transcription of the yqxM‐sipW‐tasA operon but is not needed for expression of the epsA–O operon. We further show that the gene for Slr is itself under the negative control of SinR and AbrB. These findings reveal that matrix production is governed by an intricate network involving the interplay of negatively and positively acting regulatory proteins.
Identification and characterization of KpsS, a novel polysaccharide sulphotransferase in Mesorhizobium loti
Authors: Townsend Guy E. , Keating David H. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPlants enter into symbiotic relationships with bacteria that allow survival in nutrient‐limiting environments. The bacterium Mesorhizobium loti enters into a symbiosis with the legume host, Lotus japonicus, which results in the formation of novel plant structures called root nodules. The bacteria colonize the nodules, and are internalized into the cytoplasm of the plant cells, where they reduce molecular dinitrogen for the plant. Symbiosis between M. loti and L. japonicus requires bacterial synthesis of secreted and cell‐surface polysaccharides. We previously reported the identification of an unusual sulphate‐modified form of capsular polysaccharide (KPS) in M. loti. To better understand the physiological function of sulphated KPS, we isolated the sulphotransferase responsible for KPS sulphation from M. loti extracts, determined its amino acid sequence and identified the corresponding M. loti open reading frame, mll7563 (which we have named kpsS). We demonstrated that partially purified KpsS functions as a fucosyl sulphotransferase in vitro. Furthermore, mutants deficient for this gene exhibit a lack of KPS sulphation and a decreased rate of nodule formation on L. japonicus. Interestingly, the kpsS gene product shares no significant amino acid similarity with previously identified sulphotransferases, but exhibited sequence identity to open reading frames of unknown function in diverse bacteria that interact with eukaryotes.