bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Encouraging fruit consumption in primary schoolchildren: a pilot study in North Wales, UK
Authors: Yeo S. T. , Edwards R. T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  To explore the feasibility and cost of promoting fruit consumption among primary schoolchildren across Anglesey, a region in North Wales, UK.Design, setting and subjects  A postal survey of the head teachers of all 51 primary schools across Anglesey to ascertain their attitudes to promoting fruit consumption and current initiatives in place was conducted. This was followed by a 1‐week pilot study in a single primary school to assess parents’ support and willingness to bear or share costs, to determine children's fruit preferences, and to calculate fruit waste. Finally, the cost to local government of providing a piece of fruit to each primary schoolchild daily was calculated.Results  A 53% response rate was obtained in the postal survey of primary school head teachers. All respondents expressed an interest in participating in future fruit promotion programmes. Of 27 primary schools, 26 that responded (96.3%) had programmes in place in which 18 had adopted specific food policies. In the pilot study at the single Anglesey primary school, a response rate of 97% from parents who expressed support for fruit promotion in school was obtained. Parents expressed their willingness to pay at least 15 pence per day towards fruit provision at break time for their children if such a service was not provided by local government. If local government was to invest in this initiative, the total cost of providing one piece of fruit per day to all primary school children in Anglesey would be £211 000 per annum (2004 prices; 19 pence per child per day).Conclusion  This pilot study shows support by teachers and parents for initiatives to encourage primary schoolchildren to eat more fruit. Waste can be minimized by choosing fruit that children prefer, in this study, grapes, apples and oranges. The decision as to whether local government or parents are asked to pay for fruit provision is political, depending on local socioeconomic circumstances, local government priorities, national education and nutrition policies.
Underestimation and overestimation of personal weight status: associations with socio‐demographic characteristics and weight maintenance intentions
Authors: Brug J. , Wammes B. , Kremers S. , Giskes K. , Oenema A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  Unwarranted underestimation and overestimation of personal weight status may prevent weight maintenance behaviour. The present study reports on correlates of under‐ and overestimation of personal weight status and the association with weight maintenance intentions and self‐reported action.Design  Comparison of three cross‐sectional surveys, representing different population groups.Subjects  Survey 1: 1694 adolescents 13–19 years of age; survey 2: 979 nonobese adults 25–35 years of age; survey 3: 617 adults 21–62 years of age.Measurements  Self‐administered written questionnaires (surveys 1 and 3) and telephone‐administered questionnaires (survey 2); self‐reported BMI, self‐rated weight status, intentions and self‐reported actions to avoid weight gain or to lose weight, sex, age, education and ethnic background. Respondents were classified as people who are realistic about personal body weight status or people who under‐ and overestimate their body weight status, based on BMI and self‐rated weight status.Results  Most respondents in the three survey populations were realistic about their weight status. Overestimation of weight status was consistently more likely among women, whereas underestimation was more likely among men, older respondents and respondents from ethnic minorities. Self‐rated weight status was a stronger correlate of intentions and self‐report actions to avoid weight gain than weight status based on Body Mass Index.Conclusions  Relevant proportions of the study populations underestimated or overestimated their bodyweight status. Overestimation of personal weight status may lead to unwarranted weight maintenance actions, whereas underestimation may result in lack of motivation to avoid further weight gain.
Differences in weaning practice, food and nutrient intake between breast‐ and formula‐fed 4‐month‐old infants in England
Authors: Noble S. , Emmett P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Breastfed infants may grow more slowly in the second half of infancy than formula‐fed infants, differences in weaning practice may contribute.Methods  Dietary intakes of 4‐month‐old infants have been investigated cross‐sectionally. Diet was assessed using a structured 1‐day un‐weighed dietary record in 852 white singletons (72% of those invited) from a random sub‐sample of infants taking part in Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Nutrient intakes of formula‐fed infants were compared by sex and with UK reference values. Estimated mean energy and nutrient intakes, mean bodyweight and daily quantities of food consumed were compared by weaning practice.Results  In formula‐fed infants mean energy intakes and intakes of most nutrients were adequate. There were significant differences in intakes of most nutrients by weaning practice; however, mean energy intake and body weight of breastfed infants was similar to formula‐fed infants. Infants given formula milk were less likely to consume vegetables and fruit, and more likely to consume commercial infant drinks, compared with infants who were breastfed. In breastfed infants breast milk intake was lower if solids were given (905 g versus 818 g; P = 0.01); however, nutrient intake was not compromised. In formula‐fed infants milk intake was not different in those having solids compared to those having milk only (810 g versus 795 g; P = 0.649).Conclusions  Differences in weaning practice and patterns of food consumption were seen between breast‐ and formula‐fed infants, these may contribute to later growth differences.
Demonstration of lanthanum in liver cells by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy
Authors: YANG Z. , SCHRYVERS D. , ROELS F. , D’HAESE P. C. , DE BROE M. E. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe appearance of lanthanum in liver cells as a result of the injection of lanthanum chloride into rats is investigated by advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques, including electron energy loss spectroscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. It is demonstrated that the lysosomes contain large amounts of lanthanum appearing in a granular form with particle dimensions between 5 and 25 nm, whereas no lanthanum could be detected in other surrounding cellular components.
A novel real‐time confocal imaging technique for examining host–implant interfacial shear failure patterns
Authors: COOK R. J. , THOMPSON I. D. , ROBINSON P. D. , WATSON T. F. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryIn clinical practice, implant failure usually occurs at the biomaterial–host tissue interface, typically involving both biomechanical and biochemical mechanisms. By definition, any new ‘bioactive’ material will bond to living bone but, prior to clinical use, interface formation, performance, longevity and failure pattern characterizations are necessary. The common missing link in many biomaterial interface investigations is imaging at the point of presumed loaded failure. The novel real‐time confocal technique described here allows bond strength, formation rate, longevity and bone–material interface failure pattern characterization for a wide range of biomaterials capable of forming tissue interfaces, in one real‐time imaged microshear stress process, conducted using imaging frame matched load/displacement data acquisition under relatively normal near in vivo environmental conditions. The technique, validated by post‐failure scanning electron microscopy imaging, revealed that more slowly reacting melt‐derived 45S5 glass materials produced stronger and more stable long‐term interfaces than faster reacting microporous bioactive sol‐gel glasses.
Electron microscopy and diffraction of radiation‐sensitive nanostructured materials
Authors: SCHAPER A. K. , YOSHIOKA T. , OGAWA T. , TSUJI M. 
Published: August 2006

SummarySoft matter research of natural organic and synthetic nanomaterials is an area in nanoscience and technology that has been growing particularly quickly in recent years. The materials under investigation are sensitive to high‐energy electrons. Any structure characterization using electron microscopy thus requires special care. First, we illustrated this on naturally grown nanotubes observed by normal and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy. Second, we studied the ordering and orientation of the mesophase in template‐grown nanotubes and nanorods containing discotic liquid crystals without and with doping, as desired. For these studies, we mainly used transmission electron diffraction and microscopy at low‐dose conditions, high‐efficiency image acquisition, and cryoprotection of the structures at liquid helium temperature. Additional analytical information was obtained by electron energy filtering observations.
Statistical analysis of reduced pair correlation functions of capillaries in the prostate gland
Authors: MATTFELDT T. , ECKEL S. , FLEISCHER F. , SCHMIDT V. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBlood capillaries are thread‐like structures that may be considered as an example of a spatial fibre process in three dimensions. At light microscopy, the capillary profiles appear as a planar point process on sections. It has recently been shown that the observed pair correlation function g(r) of the centres of the fibre profiles on two‐dimensional sections may be used to estimate the reduced pair correlation function of stationary and isotropic fibre processes in three dimensions. In the present study, we explored how this approach may be extended to statistical analysis of reduced g‐functions of capillaries from multiple specimens of different groups and with replicated observations. The methods were applied to normal prostatic tissue compared with prostate cancer. Confidence intervals for the mean reduced g‐functions of groups were estimated for fixed r‐values parametrically using the t‐distribution, and by bootstrap methods. Each estimated reduced g‐function was furthermore characterized in terms of its first maximum and minimum. The mean length of capillaries per unit tissue volume was significantly higher in prostate cancer tissue than in normal prostate tissue. Significant differences between the mean reduced g‐functions of malignant and benign lesions could be demonstrated for two domains of r‐values. In general, bootstrap‐based confidence intervals were slightly wider than parametrically estimated confidence intervals. Falsely negative lower bounds of the intervals, which sometimes arose using the parametric approach, could be avoided by the bootstrap method. Testing of group mean values for significant differences by the bootstrap method yielded more conservative results than multiple t‐tests. The functional value of the first maximum of the reduced g‐function and a global statistical parameter of short‐range ordering was significantly reduced in the carcinoma group. Prostate cancer tissue is more densely supplied with capillaries than normal prostate tissue and the three‐dimensional arrangement of the vessels differs with respect to interaction at various distance ranges. In the local approach used here, bootstrap methods can be used as a robust statistical tool for the computation of confidence intervals and group comparisons of mean reduced g‐functions at specific ranges of interaction.
A flexible instrument control and image acquisition system for a scanning electron microscope
Authors: KAPP O. H. , SMITH D. R. , JENDRASZKIEWICZ G. , GORODEZKY I. , KIM KWANG‐JE , CREWE A. V. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe have developed an instrument control and image acquisition system for use with scanning electron microscopes. By making the system flexible over a wide range of operating voltages, scan generation and image acquisition modes can be easily accommodated to a wide range of instruments. We show the implementation of this system for use with a custom‐built low‐voltage scanning electron microscope. We then explore the simple modifications that are required for control of two instruments intended for use as free electron lasers.
Wavelength division scanning for two‐photon excitation fluorescence imaging
Authors: SHI K. , YIN S. , LIU Z. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe investigate wavelength division scanning for two‐photon excitation fluorescence imaging. Two‐photon imaging using lateral wavelength division scanning is demonstrated. In addition, we theoretically analyse the spatial and temporal properties of a femtosecond laser beam focused by a Fresnel lens and investigate the feasibility of axial scanning using wavelength division.
Use of confocal linescan to document ciliary beat frequency
Authors: DOYLE R. T. , MONINGER T. , DEBAVALYA N. , HSU W. H. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe present a method to document ciliary beat frequency with the linescan function of a scanning confocal microscope, using ciliated tracheal cells and free‐swimming rotifers as examples. Depending on the clarity of the original data, the ciliary beat frequency can be determined from the confocal linescan directly or from an intensity linescan analysis of the original data. Fast Fourier transform treatment of the data can be used to verify the derived ciliary beat frequency. The linescan approach allows analysis of simple ciliary movements displayed by the ciliated tracheal cells, as well as complex movements performed by free‐swimming rotifers while feeding.
All three chaperonin genes in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii are individually dispensable
Authors: Kapatai Georgia , Large Andrew , Benesch Justin L. P. , Robinson Carol V. , Carrascosa José L. , Valpuesta José M. , Gowrinathan Preethy , Lund Peter A. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe Hsp60 or chaperonin class of molecular chaperones is divided into two phylogenetic groups: group I, found in bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts, and group II, found in eukaryotic cytosol and archaea. Group I chaperonins are generally essential in bacteria, although when multiple copies are found one or more of these are dispensable. Eukaryotes contain eight genes for group II chaperonins, all of which are essential, and it has been shown that these proteins assemble into double‐ring complexes with eightfold symmetry where all proteins occupy specific positions in the ring. In archaea, there are one, two or three genes for the group II chaperonins, but whether they are essential for growth is unknown. Here we describe a detailed genetic, structural and biochemical analysis of these proteins in the halophilic archaeon, Haloferax volcanii. This organism contains three genes for group II chaperonins, and we show that all are individually dispensable but at least one must be present for growth. Two of the three possible double mutants can be constructed, but only one of the three genes is capable of fully complementing the stress‐dependent phenotypes that these double mutants show. The chaperonin complexes are made up of hetero‐oligomers with eightfold symmetry, and the properties of the different combinations of subunits derived from the mutants are distinct. We conclude that, although they are more homologous to eukaryotic than prokaryotic chaperonins, archaeal chaperonins have some redundancy of function.
Cyclitols and carbohydrates in leaves and roots of 13 Eucalyptus species suggest contrasting physiological responses to water deficit
Authors: MERCHANT ANDREW , TAUSZ MICHAEL , ARNDT STEFAN K. , ADAMS MARK A. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTIn many tree species, physiological adaptations to drought include the accumulation of osmotically active substances and/or the presence of particular compatible solutes, among them cyclitols. Recently, the cyclitol quercitol was identified in species of Eucalyptus, a diverse genus whose speciation is probably driven by adaptation to water availability.We subjected seedlings of 13 Eucalyptus species from different ecosystems (‘mesic’ and ‘xeric’) and different sub‐generic taxonomic groups to 10 weeks of water deficit (WD) treatment. Pre‐dawn water potentials (ψpdwn) and relative water content (RWC) were determined in shoots, and total osmolality, soluble low‐molecular‐weight carbohydrates and cyclitols were measured in leaves and roots.Responses to water deficit followed two distinct patterns: Eucalyptus species from ‘mesic’ environments adjusted concentrations of sucrose (through increased levels of sucrose and decreases in RWC) in response to water deficit, whereas ‘xeric’ species increased concentrations of quercitol (through reductions in RWC). In root tissues, only species from xeric environments contained high levels of quercitol and mannitol, increasing under WD conditions.We suggest that the former (mesic) strategy may be beneficial to respond to short‐lasting drought conditions, because sucrose is easily metabolized, whereas the latter (xeric) strategy may relate to an effective acclimation to longer‐lasting drought. These physiological response groups are also related to taxonomic groups within the genus.
Fc function of a new intravenous immunoglobulin product: IGIV 10% triple virally inactivated solution
Authors: Reipert B. M. , Ilas J. , Carnewal C. , üreder S.F , Bölzlbauer U. , Teschner W. , Fiedler C. , Schwarz H. P. 
Published: August 2006

Background and Objectives Baxter AG has developed a new liquid intravenous immunoglobulin product [Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) 10%] using a new manufacturing procedure. A modified Cohn fractionation and ion exchange chromatography is used to produce an IgG solution with no alterations to the Fc region. Three dedicated virus reduction steps are included: solvent‐detergent treatment, nanofiltration, and incubation at low pH and elevated temperature in final formulation. We applied the reference method of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) together with a flow‐cytometric binding assay for the evaluation of the Fc function of the new product.Materials and Methods The EP reference method was done as described in the EP. The flow‐cytometric method measured binding of IgG to Fc receptors of human monocytic THP‐1 cells after exclusion of apoptotic cells.Results Sixteen lots of the new product expressed Fc functions between 84% and 110% when analysed with the EP reference method and Fc‐binding activities between 82% and 121% when determined by the flow‐cytometric method.Conclusion All tested lots of the new product demonstrated a high level of Fc activity and met the requirements of the EP for Fc function.
Pathological Conditions of the Reproductive Organs of Male Stray Dogs in the Tropics: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Morphological Findings and Testosterone Concentrations
Authors: Ortega‐Pacheco A , Rodríguez‐Buenfil JC , Segura‐Correa JC , Bolio‐Gonzalez ME , Jiménez‐Coello M , Linde Forsberg C 
Published: August 2006

ContentsThe objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for pathological conditions of the reproductive organs in stray dogs under tropical conditions. Three hundred and eighteen dogs were examined post‐mortem in the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003. Before killing, a blood sample (from the cephalic vein) for testosterone assay was taken. Pathological conditions of the reproductive organs were found in 135 of the dogs (42.5%) and in 175 of the testes (64.8%). The most frequent pathologies found were testicular degeneration, cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and testicular tumours (in 15.1%, 6.6%, 6.6% and 5.4% of the dogs and 15.1, 4.6, 6.0 and 3.5 of the testes, respectively). Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) was seen in 5.4% of the dogs. Testicular degeneration was more common in old dogs and underweight dogs (p < 0.05). Testicular tumours were 14.3 times more common in cryptorchid dogs. Age was another important factor for the development of testicular tumours (p < 0.05). Lower levels of testosterone concentration (p < 0.05) were observed in dogs with advanced testicular degeneration (0.7 ± 0.8 nm), dogs with hypoplastic testicles (0.8 ± 0.9 nm) and dogs with one degenerated and one retained testis or with bilateral cryptorchidism (1.2 ± 0.9 nm) compared to dogs with one or two normal testes (7.0 ± 5.5 nm). Testicular volume and weight were significantly lower in degenerated, hypoplastic and retained testes compared with the contralateral normal testis. Some spermatogenic activity was found in three of the retained testes, producing oligozoospermic smears with a high percentage of sperm abnormalities. No comparable epidemiological data about male pathological conditions of the reproductive organs in the dog is available. The prevalence found in this study, yet, appears high.
ROLE OF ATP‐SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS IN NORMAL AND HYPERTENSION‐ASSOCIATED PREGNANCY IN RATS
Authors: Lima R , Tardim JCBM , Barros ME , Boim MA 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARY

Activation of vascular ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels has been implicated in vasodilator responses to pregnancy.
The effect of glibenclamide, a KATP channel inhibitor, on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal function was evaluated in pregnant and non‐pregnant spontaneously hypertensive rats, as well as in normotensive and hypertensive Wistar rats that had been made hypertensive by simultaneous treatment with NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (0.4 mg/mL) and indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) from Day 1 of gestation. Pregnant animals received 10 mg/kg glibenclamide for 12 days starting at Day 7. In addition, the mRNA levels of the vascular KATP channel (Kir6.2) were estimated in aorta and kidney using real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction on Day 19 of pregnancy.
The decreased SBP observed in pregnant Wistar rats was paralleled by an increase in Kir6.2 mRNA levels. Glibenclamide blunted systemic vasodilation and reduced the mRNA expression of Kir6.2. There was no pregnancy induced vasodilation and no change in Kir6.2 mRNA expression in SHR. Glibenclamide had no effect on pregnant SHR. Hypertensive Wistar rats exhibited high SBP, followed by increased Kir6.2 mRNA levels. The effects of glibenclamide were not evaluated in this group because glibenclamide induced intense vaginal bleeding.
The results of the present study suggest that KATP channels may be involved in pregnancy induced vasodilation during normotensive pregnancy, but not in pregnant SHR. Glibenclamide may have an abortive effect if administered during the early phases of gestation or in association with nitric oxide and prostaglandin inhibitors.