bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The fatty acid pattern of dietary fat influences the oral bioavailability of the flavonol quercetin in pigs
Authors: Lesser Stephanie , Cermak Rainer , Wolffram Siegfried 
Published: March 2007

We have shown recently that dietary fat content influences the bioavailability of the flavonol quercetin. In the present study, the influence of the fatty acid pattern of dietary fats on the oral bioavailability of quercetin was investigated. Quercetin (30 μmol/kg body weight) was administered to growing pigs (n 6) in test meals consisting either of 200 g of a standard pig diet (2 % crude fat) or of the same diet supplemented with 15 g fat/100 g diet using either medium-chain (MCT) or long-chain fatty acid triacylglycerols (LCT). Blood samples were drawn repeatedly over a period of 24 h and analysed by HPLC. In addition, the influence of the different diets on gastric emptying was investigated in rats. In pigs, the bioavailability of quercetin was measured by quantifying its plasma metabolites with an intact flavonol structure. Bioavailability was enhanced by 38 % (P < 0·05) and 12 % (P>0·05) after intake with the MCT and LCT diets, respectively, compared to the standard diet. Maximum plasma concentrations of quercetin were reached significantly later with the MCT diet than with the LCT or the standard diet (P < 0·05). No differences in dry matter of the gastric content were observed 60 min after intake of the experimental diets in rats. Thus, administration of quercetin together with a diet containing MCT fat enhances the bioavailability of the flavonol. Absorption of quercetin was delayed significantly with this diet. However, this was probably not due to slower gastric emptying of the MCT diet.
Levels of serum transferrin receptor and its response to Fe-supplement in Fe-deficient children
Authors: Lin Xiao-Ming , Ji Cheng-Ye , Liu Wen-Jing , Long Zhu , Shen Xiao-Yi 
Published: March 2007

The object of the present study was to investigate the levels of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and its response to Fe supplementation in Fe-deficient children and the role of sTfR in detecting Fe deficiency and assessing the efficacy of Fe supplementation. According to the diagnostic standard, 1006 children, aged 6–14 years in Fangshan district, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China, were divided into four groups: normal; Fe store depletion (IDs); Fe deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE); Fe deficiency anaemia (IDA). sTfR was determined and transferrin receptor-ferritin (TfR-F) index was calculated in 238 children, sixty-four normal and 174 Fe deficient. Children were administered a NaFeEDTA capsule containing 60 mg Fe once per week for the IDs and IDE groups and three times per week for the IDA group for nine consecutive weeks. The parameters reflecting Fe status and sTfR were determined before and after Fe supplementation. The levels of sTfR and TfR-F index in Fe-deficient children were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that sTfR has proper diagnostic efficacy for functional Fe deficiency. After Fe supplementation, the level of sTfR was significantly decreased in children with IDs, but not in children with IDE and IDA, while TfR-F index was significantly decreased in Fe-deficient children. sTfR is a reliable indicator for detecting functional Fe deficiency, and TfR-F index is a sensitive parameter for assessing the efficacy of Fe supplementation.
Overweight induced by high-fat diet delays rat cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Nascimento Adriana P. , Costa Andréa M. A. 
Published: March 2007

Prolonged wound healing is a complication that contributes to morbidity and mortality. Overweight people regularly undergo surgery and trauma, and often develop chronic wounds, but the effects of the adipose tissue excess on cutaneous wound healing are not well understood. This study tested the hypothesis that overweight induced by a high-fat diet impairs rat cutaneous wound healing. Male Wistar rats were fed with either a high-fat or a standard (control) diet. After 15 weeks, an excisional lesion was done and the animals were killed 21 d later. Wound contraction and re-epithelialization, blood pressure, glucose and retroperitoneal fat were evaluated. After killing, lesion and adjacent normal skin were formol-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Inflammatory infiltrate, myofibroblasts, collagen fibres and cellular proliferation were analysed and blood vessels were evaluated using stereological methods. There was no difference in blood pressure and glucose, but retroperitoneal fat increased in the high-fat diet group. Animals fed with the high-fat diet presented delayed wound contraction and re-epithelialization. It was found that 21 d after wounding, overweight induced by a high-fat diet increased the inflammatory infiltrate and delayed myofibroblastic differentiation, collagen deposition, epithelial and connective tissue cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. These findings support the hypothesis that a high-fat diet exerts negative effects on rat cutaneous wound healing, due mainly to the prolongation of the inflammatory phase.
Serum free testosterone, leptin and soluble leptin receptor changes in a 6-week strength-training programme
Authors: Ara I. , Perez-Gomez J. , Vicente-Rodriguez G. , Chavarren J. , Dorado C. , Calbet J. A. L. 
Published: March 2007

Strength training is usually associated with a reduction in fat mass and with muscle hypertrophy. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the serum free leptin index (FLI), measured by the molar excess of soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) over leptin, is increased by 6 weeks of strength training. Eighteen male, physical education students were randomly assigned to two groups: a strength-training (n12) and a control group (n6). Body composition (lean body mass and body fat) determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle performance and leptin, sOB-R, total testosterone and free testosterone concentrations were determined before and after training. Fat mass was reduced by 1 kg with strength training (P < 0·05). Lean body mass of trained extremities was increased by 3 % (P < 0·05), while the concentration of free testosterone in serum was reduced by 17 % (P < 0·05) after training. However, despite the reduction in fat mass and free testosterone, serum leptin concentration was not significantly affected by strength training, even after accounting for the differences in body fat. By contrast, for a given fat mass, the sOB-R was increased by 13 % (P < 0·05) at the end of the strength-training programme, although the molar excess of sOB-R over leptin remained unchanged. Therefore, the quantity of free leptin available to bind to the target tissues was not significantly affected by the short strength-training programme, which elicited a 7 % reduction in fat mass.
No effect of increased water intake on blood viscosity and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Tonstad Serena , Klemsdal Tor Ole , Landaas Sverre , Høieggen Aud 
Published: March 2007

Observational data have suggested that increased water intake decreases the risk of CHD. A postulated mechanism is that increased water ingestion reduces blood viscosity. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of increased fluid intake on blood viscosity. Men (n 67) and postmenopausal women (n 27) with one or more risk factors for CVD who reported intake of ≤ 0·5 litres water daily were randomised to a control group (n 31), an intervention group (n 32) that increased their daily water intake by 1 litre/d and an intervention group (n 31) that ingested 1 litre blueberry juice/d. All were encouraged to continue their usual diet and lifestyle. Whole-blood viscosity and blood and urine chemistries were measured by standard techniques after 2 and 4 weeks. Urine volume increased (by a median of 872 and 725 ml in the water and blueberry juice groups, respectively, v. 10 ml in the control group; P ≤ 0·002), confirming the subjects' adherence to the protocol. Urine osmolality and urinary levels of Na, K and creatinine decreased in the water and blueberry juice groups v. the controls (P < 0·05). No change was seen in whole-blood viscosity or in levels of fibrinogen, total protein, lipids, glucose, insulin, C-peptide or other chemistry and haematology variables. In conclusion, a postulated protective effect of increased water or fluid intake is not explained by a change in blood viscosity and increased fluid intake does not influence CVD risk factors in the short term.
Effect of diet composition on pregnancy outcome in overnourished rapidly growing adolescent sheep
Authors: Wallace Jacqueline M. , Milne John S. , Redmer Dale A. , Aitken Raymond P. 
Published: March 2007

When pregnant adolescent sheep are overnourished to promote maternal growth during pregnancy, growth of the placenta is impaired and results in the premature delivery of low birth weight lambs relative to control-fed adolescents of equivalent age. These effects have been achieved by feeding two levels of the same complete diet. The present study evaluated the role of protein in pregnancy outcome in our adolescent sheep paradigm. Adolescent ewes were implanted with single embryos on day 4 post-oestrus. Thereafter ewes were offered ad libitum an isoenergetic diet (11·4 MJ metabolisable energy/kg DM) containing either 12 % (basic, B) or 17 % (extra, E) crude protein. At day 75 of gestation, half the pregnant ewes on each protein level were switched to yield four groups, BB, EE, BE and EB protein. A further optimally nourished control group received a moderate quantity of a ration (14 % crude protein) designed to provide 100 % of the estimated energy and protein requirement of the adolescent sheep according to stage of pregnancy. Pregnancy outcome was determined at term. Feed intakes were independent of protein level in the four groups of ewes fed ad libitum and were higher (P < 0·001) than in the control group throughout. Maternal plasma urea concentrations reflected the current crude protein content of the diet offered and were elevated in the 17 % compared with 12 % protein groups (P < 0·001). Within groups fed ad libitum, maternal plasma insulin, glucose, NEFA and homocysteine concentrations were largely independent of protein level. Gestation length, placental weight, lamb birth weight and initial colostrum yield were reduced (P < 0·05) in all groups fed ad libitum relative to the optimally nourished control group. Similarly, total colostrum IgG, butterfat, lactose and crude protein content at parturition were attenuated in the ad libitum compared with the control groups. However, within ad libitum groups pregnancy outcome parameters were largely unaffected by level or timing of exposure to high protein intakes. The data imply that it is high-energy intakes that are the primary cause of impaired placental development and adverse pregnancy outcome in rapidly growing adolescent sheep.
DESIRED FAMILY SIZE, FAMILY PLANNING AND FERTILITY IN ETHIOPIA
Authors: BHARGAVA ALOK 
Published: March 2007

Summary.This paper models the proximate determinants of children born to over 13,000 Ethiopian women and of the women’s stated preferences for additional births using the data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2000. Empirical models for the number of children born to women were estimated using Poisson and ordinal regressions. The results show the importance of variables such as maternal education for smaller family size, and that variables reflecting desired family size are strong predictors of the numbers of children born to women. Secondly, binary logistic models for dichotomous variables for women not wanting more children and if getting pregnant would be a ‘big problem’ showed non-linear effects of the surviving and ‘ideal’ number of children. Moreover, the results indicated a desire on the part of women to limit family size, especially as the number of surviving children increased. Probit models were estimated to address potential endogeneity of certain variables. Overall, the results indicated that counselling couples about small family size and increasing the utilization of health care services can lower fertility in Ethiopia.
Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis of the membranous nasal septum
Authors: Chan T V , Spiegel J H 
Published: March 2007

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic, infectious, granulomatous disease that may present with mass lesions in the respiratory tract anywhere from the nose to the trachea. The nose is involved in 95–100 per cent of cases. There are three stages of the disease: catarrhal-atrophic, granulomatous (also known as hypertrophic) and sclerotic. The diagnosis is made either by positive Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis culture or from the classic histological findings of Mikulicz cells and transformed plasma cells with Russell bodies. Rhinoscleroma is endemic to areas of Africa, South-East Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Central and Eastern Europe, and it has been associated with low socioeconomic status. In the past, rhinoscleroma was infrequent in the US population but, with current trends in migration, the incidence of rhinoscleroma may be on the rise. There is often a delay in diagnosis in non-endemic areas such as the US due to unfamiliarity with the disease, the stage-dependent clinical and histological manifestations of disease, and the fact that only 50–60 per cent of cultures are positive for K rhinoscleromatis. Such late diagnosis leads to increased morbidity in the form of nasal and airway obstruction and nasal deformity from erosive processes. Rhinoscleroma is difficult to cure and prone to recur. Currently, the recommended treatment consists of a combination of surgical debridement and long-term antibiotic therapy. We present a case report of a culture-positive diagnosis of rhinoscleroma, and we review the existing literature.
Diagnosis and management of olfactory disorders: survey of UK-based consultants and literature review
Authors: McNeill E , Ramakrishnan Y , Carrie S 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground:The diagnosis and management of olfactory disorders is an often neglected topic in otolaryngology. This article evaluates current clinical practice within the United Kingdom, and provides a literature-based review of the diagnosis, management and prognosis of olfactory pathology.Design:A questionnaire was sent to consultant and associate specialist members of the British Association of Otolaryngologists and Head and Neck Surgeons. The responses were documented to gain an impression of how olfactory disorders are managed in the United Kingdom. The literature relating to olfactory dysfunction was then evaluated and the findings summarised.Conclusions:Management of olfactory pathology varies across the United Kingdom. The literature suggests that chemosensory testing is optimal and that both forced-choice and threshold testing should be applied if objective evaluation is required. Imaging can be of value but the appropriate technique should be used. Olfactory function can recover following head injury, viral infection and chronic sinonasal disease, although varying degrees of dysfunction are likely to persist. There is a role for the use of corticosteroids, particularly when administered systemically. More research is needed to establish the appropriate dose and length of treatment.
Investigating urban–rural disparities in tuberculosis treatment outcome in England and Wales
Authors: ABUBAKAR I. , CROFTS J. P. , GELB D. , STORY A. , ANDREWS N. , WATSON J. M. 
Published: March 2007

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to compare the occurrence of tuberculosis (TB) and the outcome of treatment between TB patients living in urban and rural areas. Cases of TB reported from 2001 to 2003 in England and Wales were assigned to a rural or urban area classification. The outcome of interest, non-completion of treatment, was investigated to determine the odds ratio for urban vs. rural residence. The effects of age, sex, ethnicity, place of birth, time since arrival in the United Kingdom, disease site, isoniazid resistance and previous diagnosis were adjusted for by multivariable logistic regression. Crude odds ratios showed a significantly higher level of treatment non-completion in rural areas. These results became non-significant (OR 1·02, 95% CI 0·83–1·26, P=0·82) after adjusting for the confounding effects of ethnic group and age. In England and Wales residence in a rural location is not an independent determinant of TB treatment outcome failure.
Acculturation, economics and food insecurity among refugees resettled in the USA: a case study of West African refugees
Authors: Hadley Craig , Zodhiates Ariel , Sellen Daniel W 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the occurrence and severity of food insecurity, and examine associations between food insecurity and measures of socio-economic status and indicators of acculturation.DesignStructured interviews among a non-probability sample of West African refugees at baseline and 6 months' follow-up.SettingMid-sized city in north-eastern USA.SubjectsOne hundred and one caregivers with children under the age of 5 years and who have been living the USA for fewer than 4 years.ResultsFood insecurity was indicated in approximately half of households (53%). The occurrence of food insecurity was associated with measures of socio-economic status such as income, employment status and participation in the Food Stamp Program (P < 0.05). Measures of acculturation such as difficulty in the shopping environment and language difficulty were also associated with the occurrence and severity of food insecurity, as was time lived in the USA (P < 0.05). Among households who had been in the USA for 1 year or less, food insecurity was indicated in 73%, whereas among households who had been in the USA for at least 3 years food insecurity was indicted in 33%.ConclusionsRefugees are a potentially vulnerable group and our results echo others in suggesting a need for more thorough monitoring of the health and well-being of recently resettled refugees. These results also suggest that reliance on employment as the sole indicator of success in the resettlement process may be too narrow an indicator. Future research should focus on a wider range of measures of health and well-being.
Developing nutrient profile models: a systematic approach
Authors: Scarborough Peter , Rayner Mike , Stockley Lynn 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveNutrient profiling can be defined as the ‘the science of categorising foods according to their nutritional composition’. The purpose of the present paper is to describe a systematic and logical approach to nutrient profiling.DesignA seven-stage decision-making process is proposed and, as an illustration of how the approach might operate in practice, the development of a nutrient profiling model for the purpose of highlighting breakfast cereals that are ‘high in fat, sugar or salt’ is described.ResultsThe nutrient profile model developed for this paper calculates scores for foods using a simple equation. It enables breakfast cereals to be compared with each other and with other foods eaten at breakfast.ConclusionNutrient profiling is not new, but hitherto most nutrient profiling models have been developed in an unsystematic and illogical fashion. Different nutrient profiling models are needed for different purposes but a key requirement should be that they are developed using a systematic, transparent and logical process. This paper provides an example of such a process; approaches to validating nutrient profiling models are described elsewhere.
Food poverty and health among schoolchildren in Ireland: findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study
Authors: Molcho Michal , Gabhainn Saoirse Nic , Kelly Colette , Friel Sharon , Kelleher Cecily 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the relationships between food poverty and food consumption, health and life satisfaction among schoolchildren.DesignAnalysis of the 2002 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a cross-sectional survey that employs a self-completion questionnaire in a nationally representative random sample of school classrooms in the Republic of Ireland.SubjectsA total of 8424 schoolchildren (aged 10–17 years) from 176 schools, with an 83% response rate from children.ResultsFood poverty was found to be similarly distributed among the three social classes (15.3% in the lower social classes, 15.9% in the middle social classes and 14.8% in the higher social classes). It was also found that schoolchildren reporting food poverty are less likely to eat fruits, vegetables and brown bread, odds ratio (OR) from 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–0.87) to 0.81 (95% CI 0.63–0.99); more likely to eat crisps, fried potatoes and hamburgers, OR from 1.20 (95% CI 1.00–1.40) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.39–1.85); and more likely to miss breakfast on weekdays, OR from 1.29 (95% CI 0.33–1.59) to 1.72 (95% CI 1.50–1.95). The risk of somatic and mental symptoms is also increased, OR from 1.48 (95% CI 1.18–1.78) to 2.57 (95% CI 2.33–2.81); as are negative health perceptions, OR from 0.63 (95% CI 0.43–0.83) to 0.52 (95% CI 0.28–0.76) and measures of life dissatisfaction, OR from 1.88 (95% CI 1.64–2.12) to 2.25 (95% CI 2.05–2.45). Similar results were found for life dissatisfaction in an international comparison of 32 countries. All analyses were adjusted for age and social class.ConclusionsFood poverty in schoolchildren is not restricted to those from lower social class families, is associated with a substantial risk to physical and mental health and well-being, and requires the increased attention of policy makers and practitioners.
Breakfast habits affect overall nutrient profiles in adolescents
Authors: Matthys C , De Henauw S , Bellemans M , De Maeyer M , De Backer G 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo describe breakfast consumption patterns, on a nutrient and food item level, in Belgian adolescents.DesignA 7-day estimated food record was administered in a cross-sectional survey.SettingSecondary schools in Ghent, Belgium.SubjectsA total of 341 adolescents (13–18 years old), multistage clustered sampling.ResultsThe energy contribution of breakfast to daily energy intake was on average 15.7% in boys and 14.9% in girls. Significantly more overweight girls and significantly more girls following vocational training were categorised as eating a low-quality breakfast. In boys, the energy contribution of polysaccharides was significantly higher in consumers of good-quality breakfasts. The intake of all selected micronutrients was significantly higher in consumers of good-quality breakfasts. In girls, the total energy intake and the proportional intake of proteins and polysaccharides were significantly higher in consumers of good-quality breakfasts, while the proportional contribution of total fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly lower in these girls. The intake of all micronutrients was significantly higher in girls consuming a good-quality breakfast. In all adolescents, consumers of a good-quality breakfast had significantly higher intakes of bread, fruit, vegetables, milk and milk products, and fruit juice, while intake of soft drinks was significantly lower than in consumers of low-quality breakfasts.ConclusionsConsumers of a good-quality breakfast had a better overall dietary pattern – on a nutrient and food group level – than consumers of a low-quality breakfast. A daily breakfast, including whole-grain products, fruit and (semi-) skimmed milk products or an alternative source of calcium, is recommended.