bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public health nutrition practice in Canada: a situational assessment
Authors: Fox Ann , Chenhall Cathy , Traynor Marie , Scythes Cindy , Bellman Jane 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjectiveRenewed focus on public health has brought about considerable interest in workforce development among public health nutrition professionals in Canada. The present article describes a situational assessment of public health nutrition practice in Canada that will be used to guide future workforce development efforts.MethodsA situational assessment is a planning approach that considers strengths and opportunities as well as needs and challenges, and emphasizes stakeholder participation. This situational assessment consisted of four components: a systematic review of literature on public health nutrition workforce issues; key informant interviews; a PEEST (political, economic, environmental, social, technological) factor analysis; and a consensus meeting.FindingsInformation gathered from these sources identified key nutrition and health concerns of the population; the need to define public health nutrition practice, roles and functions; demand for increased training, education and leadership opportunities; inconsistent qualification requirements across the country; and the desire for a common vision among practitioners.ConclusionsFindings of the situational assessment were used to create a three-year public health nutrition workforce development strategy. Specific objectives of the strategy are to define public health nutrition practice in Canada, develop competencies, collaborate with other disciplines, and begin to establish a new professional group or leadership structure to promote and enhance public health nutrition practice. The process of conducting the situational assessment not only provided valuable information for planning purposes, but also served as an effective mechanism for engaging stakeholders and building consensus.
Nutrition change strategies: the new frontier
Authors: McLachlan Milla , Garrett James 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo advance understanding of nutrition change dynamics and strategies needed to tackle complex global nutrition challenges.DesignTwo frameworks, a descriptive framework of orders of change and a change model (Theory U), are introduced to advance understanding of how to promote effective action on a complex social problem like nutrition. The descriptive framework explores the types of change pursued by four current global nutrition initiatives and the strategies they use to achieve their goals. Theory U provides a conceptual model to help understand breakthrough or transformative change, i.e. change that shifts the entire system.SettingThe focus is on global and regional nutrition initiatives.ResultsUsing the criteria of desired outcomes, purpose, participation and process, the orders of change framework categorizes programme strategies according to the levels of change likely to be achieved. Such a framework can help to structure conversations among actors about prerequisites for, and the likelihood of, transformative change. Theory U provides a conceptual framework to facilitate transformative change by providing insight into change processes and levers for action.ConclusionsNutrition is a complex social issue, and not only a biological or technical challenge. But nutritionists seldom inquire into the nature of changes required to achieve goals or the processes through which change occurs. Lack of understanding and failure to address such change processes directly mean that nutrition policies and programmes continue to fall short. There is a need to understand the dynamics of change in nutrition; to learn from current change experiences; and to create dynamic learning communities.
Increasing activity and improving nutrition through a schools-based programme: Project Energize. 1. Design, programme, randomisation and evaluation methodology
Authors: Graham David , Appleton Sarah , Rush Elaine , McLennan Stephanie , Reed Peter , Simmons David 
Published: January 2008

AbstractProject Energize is a through-school nutrition and activity programme that is being evaluated in a 2-year, cluster-randomised, longitudinal study. The present paper describes the background of the programme and study, the programme development and delivery, the study methodology including randomisation, measurement and analysis tools and techniques, and the mix of the study population. The programme is being delivered to sixty-two primary schools with sixty-two control schools, each limb containing about 11 000 students. The children in the evaluation cohort are 5 or 10 years old at enrolment; the randomisation protocol has achieved post-consent enrolment of 3000 evaluation participants, who are comparable by age, sex and school decile. End-point measures include body composition and associated physical characteristics, fitness, home and school environment and practice.
Is obesity related to the type of dietary fatty acids? An ecological study
Authors: Moussavi Nadiah , Gavino Victor , Receveur Olivier 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundAnimal studies and a few clinical trials lend credibility to the hypothesis that not all types of fatty acids carry the same potential for weight gain. Only a few epidemiological studies concerning this issue are currently available and results are conflicting.AimThe purpose of the present ecological study was to test the existence of an association between obesity prevalence and the types of fat available in 168 countries.MethodsData on the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) for women over 15 years of age were obtained from the WHO Global InfoBase. Food balance sheets for the years 1998 to 2002 were obtained from the FAOSTAT database. Five-year means for energy, total fat, MUFA, PUFA, SFA and ‘other fat’ per capita were calculated, with their standard deviations, for each country. Bivariate correlations and a multiple linear regression model were used to test for the association between prevalence of obesity and types of fat available in these countries.ResultsNot surprisingly, dietary energy supply, SFA, PUFA and ‘other fat’ were positively associated with the prevalence of obesity. We also found, however, a strong negative association between MUFA availability and obesity prevalence (β= −0·68,P< 0·0001).ConclusionPopulations with a lower prevalence of obesity seem to consume a greater amount of MUFA. Considering the partial correlations between variables, our results suggest that in countries with higher obesity prevalence, it is the shift from MUFA to PUFA that particularly appears to be associated with the risk of obesity.
The effects of socio-economic status on BMI, waist:hip ratio and waist circumference in a group of Iranian women
Authors: Shahraki Mansour , Shahraki Touran , Ansari Hossein 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of socio-economic status (SES) on BMI, waist:hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) in a group of Iranian women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 888 women in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. SES was measured using level of education. In addition, parity, marital status and physical activity were assessed. Standardized measurements were taken, BMI and WHR were calculated.ResultsLow education level was a strong determinant of overweight and obesity among Iranian women. After controlling for age, women with higher education level had significantly lower BMI, WC and parity. Multiple linear regression analysis found a significant negative association of BMI and WC with education level and a significant positive association of BMI and WC with parity. Significant factors associated with obesity by a logistic regression model were education level (OR for university graduates v. illiterate or low literacy levels: 1·00 v. 3·70; P = 0·01), living with spouse (OR for married v. single subjects: 1·00 v. 0·15; P = 0·05), parity (OR for more than five v. less than two pregnancies: 1·00 v. 0·34; P = 0·03) and WC (OR for <0.88 cm v. ≥0.88 cm: 1·00 v. 11·20; P = 0·001).ConclusionThe present study revealed that educational level, multiple pregnancies, marital status and lack of exercise are some possible explanations for the obesity among Sistan and Baluchestan women.
Querying XML documents in logic programming
Authors: ALMENDROS-JIMÉNEZ J. M. , BECERRA-TERÓN A. , ENCISO-BAÑOS F. J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractExtensible Markup Language (XML)is a simple, very flexible text format derived from SGML. Originally designed to meet the challenges of large-scale electronic publishing, XML is also playing an increasingly important role in the exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web and elsewhere.XPathlanguage is the result of an effort to provide address parts of an XML document. In support of this primary purpose, it becomes in aquery languageagainst an XML document. In this paper we present a proposal for the implementation of theXPathlanguage in logic programming. With this aim we will describe the representation of XML documents by means of alogic program.Rulesandfactscan be used for representing the document schema and the XML document itself. In particular, we will presenthow to index XML documentsin logic programs: rules are supposed to be stored inmain memory, however facts are stored insecondary memoryby using two kind of indexes: one for each XML tag, and other for each group of terminal items. In addition, we will study how to query by means of theXPathlanguage against a logic program representing an XML document. It evolves thespecialization of the logic programwith regard to theXPathexpression. Finally, we will also explain how tocombine the indexing and the top-down evaluationof the logic program.
Involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and Akt in the induction of muscle protein degradation by proteolysis-inducing factor
Authors: Russell Steven T. , Eley Helen L. , Wyke Stacey M. , Tisdale Michael J. 
Published: January 2008

In the present study the role of Akt/PKB (protein kinase B) in PIF- (proteolysis-inducing factor) induced protein degradation has been investigated in murine myotubes. PIF induced transient phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 within 30 min, which was attenuated by the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitor LY294002 and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Protein degradation was attenuated in myotubes expressing a dominant-negative mutant of Akt (termed DNAkt), compared with the wild-type variant, whereas it was enhanced in myotubes containing a constitutively active Akt construct (termed MyrAkt). A similar effect was observed on the induction of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Phosphorylation of Akt has been linked to up-regulation of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway through activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) in a PI3K-dependent process. Protein degradation was attenuated by rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), when added before, or up to 30 min after, addition of PIF. PIF induced transient phosphorylation of mTOR and the 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase. These results suggest that transient activation of Akt results in an increased protein degradation through activation of NF-κB and that this also allows for a specific synthesis of proteasome subunits.
Association of partially folded lens βB2-crystallins with the α-crystallin molecular chaperone
Authors: Evans Paul , Slingsby Christine , Wallace B. A. 
Published: January 2008

Age-related cataract is a result of crystallins, the predominant lens proteins, forming light-scattering aggregates. In the low protein turnover environment of the eye lens, the crystallins are susceptible to modifications that can reduce stability, increasing the probability of unfolding and aggregation events occurring. It is hypothesized that the α-crystallin molecular chaperone system recognizes and binds these proteins before they can form the light-scattering centres that result in cataract, thus maintaining the long-term transparency of the lens. In the present study, we investigated the unfolding and aggregation of (wild-type) human and calf βB2-crystallins and the formation of a complex between α-crystallin and βB2-crystallins under destabilizing conditions. Human and calf βB2-crystallin unfold through a structurally similar pathway, but the increased stability of the C-terminal domain of human βB2-crystallin relative to calf βB2-crystallin results in the increased population of a partially folded intermediate during unfolding. This intermediate is aggregation-prone and prevents constructive refolding of human βB2-crystallin, while calf βB2-crystallin can refold with high efficiency. α-Crystallin can effectively chaperone both human and calf βB2-crystallins from thermal aggregation, although chaperone-bound βB2-crystallins are unable to refold once returned to native conditions. Ordered secondary structure is seen to increase in α-crystallin with elevated temperatures up to 60 °C; structure is rapidly lost at temperatures of 70 °C and above. Our experimental results combined with previously reported observations of α-crystallin quaternary structure have led us to propose a structural model of how activated α-crystallin chaperones unfolded βB2-crystallin.
Direct cardiac actions of erythropoietin (EPO): effects on cardiac contractility, BNP secretion and ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Piuhola Jarkko , Kerkelä Risto , Keenan Jacqueline I. , Hampton Mark B. , Richards A. Mark , Pemberton Chris J. 
Published: January 2008

EPO (erythropoietin) has recently been shown to have protective actions upon the myocardium; however, the direct effects of EPO upon cardiac contractile and secretory functions are unknown and the signalling mechanisms are not well defined. In the present study, we provide the first evidence of direct cardiac contractile actions of EPO. In isolated perfused Sprague–Dawley rat hearts, a 30 min infusion of EPO significantly increased contractility in a dose-dependent fashion (maximal change 18±2% with 1 unit/ml EPO; P&lt;0.005 compared with vehicle). Perfusate ET-1 (endothelin-1) increased transiently during EPO infusion, and the ETA/ETB antagonist bosentan abolished the inotropic response to EPO. BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) secretion (28±8%; P&lt;0.05) and nuclear transcription factor GATA-4 DNA-binding activity (51%; P&lt;0.05) were both significantly increased by EPO and blocked by bosentan. In a model of global ischaemic injury, delivery of 1 unit/ml EPO during reperfusion significantly attenuated creatine kinase release (28±12%; P&lt;0.05) and significantly improved contractile recovery (P&lt;0.001), independent of ETA blockade. Apoptotic indices [assessed by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling)/cleaved caspase-3-positive cells] were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.01) by 1 unit/ml EPO during reperfusion alone, coincident with significantly increased phosphorylation of myocardial JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Thus EPO directly enhances cardiac contractility and BNP secretion and alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury via ET-1-dependent and -independent mechanisms respectively.
Erythropoietin in cardiovascular diseases: exploring new avenues
Authors: van der Meer Peter , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Januzzi James L. 
Published: January 2008

Cardiovascular disease is an important burden in the Western world, with a prevalence that is increasing exponentially. Indeed, the lifetime risk of coronary artery disease at 40 years of age is 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women, and it is estimated that one-third of the population worldwide will die of cardiovascular disease, with a majority of these deaths related to MI (myocardial infarction) or the complications of MI. Recent research has suggested that EPO (erythropoietin), an endogenous erythropoietic hormone, may have pleiotropic effects well beyond the maintenance of red blood cells, and may have a cardiovascular role as well, including a potentially salutary effect on reperfusion injury. Although findings supportive of a role of EPO as a cardioprotective agent appear promising, the mechanisms behind the observed benefits remain elusive. In the present issue of Clinical Science, Piuhola and co-workers provide an interesting study that may shed light on the effects of EPO (and possibly related compounds) in the context of acute MI.
Copepod growth in detail: pattern similarity to decapod larvae
Authors: Miller Charles B. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Miller, C. B. 2008. Copepod growth in detail: pattern similarity to decapod larvae. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 332–338. It is proposed that copepods grow between one moult and the next in much the same fashion as established by Klaus Anger and others for decapod crustacean larvae. The analogy is justified by commonality of (i) approximately isochronal development patterns, (ii) potential for continuously exponential growth at stage-to-stage resolution, and (iii) demonstrated points of reserve saturation. Thus, as for crab zoeae, the copepod pattern should be very fast initial growth, then slowing as activity shifts to preparation of the new exoskeleton prior to moult. As much as 80% of growth may occur in the first half of the moult cycle, with no growth at all in the last third. Establishing the exact patterns for copepods faces difficulties not presented by decapod larvae, and some solutions to these problems are suggested. Obtaining precise data will help to predict and interpret (model correctly) the effects of food limitation in the field.
A Review of Sunscreen Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Gasparro Francis P. , Mitchnick Mark , Nash J. Frank 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe use of sunscreen products has been advocated by many health care practitioners as a means to reduce skin damage produced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunlight. There is a need to better understand the efficacy and safety of sunscreen products given this ongoing campaign encouraging their use. The approach used to establish sunscreen efficacy, sun protection factor (SPF), is a useful assessment of primarily UVB (290–320 nm) filters. The SPF test, however, does not adequately assess the complete photoprotective profile of sunscreens specifically against long wavelength UVAI (340–400 nm). Moreover, to date, there is no singular, agreed upon method for evaluating UVA efficacy despite the immediate and seemingly urgent consumer need to develop sunscreen products that provide broad‐spectrum UVB and UVA photoprotection. With regard to the safety of UVB and UVA filters, the current list of commonly used organic and inorganic sunscreens has favorable toxico‐logical profiles based on acute, subchronic and chronic animal or human studies. Further, in most studies, sunscreens have been shown to prevent the damaging effects of UVR exposure. Thus, based on this review of currently available data, it is concluded that sunscreen ingredients or products do not pose a human health concern. Further, the regular use of appropriate broad‐spectrum sunscreen products could have a significant and favorable impact on public health as part of an overall strategy to reduce UVR exposure.
Studies on the Mechanism of the Enzymatic Photoisomerization of Retinal
Authors: Pepe I. M. , Cugnoli C. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe honeybee retina contains the enzyme photoisomerase that converts all‐trans‐retinal to 11‐cis‐retinal in light within the visible range. The activity of the bee photoisomerase was studied on all‐trans‐retinal under pulses of laser light. The experimental data were fitted with a simple equation that describes the mechanism of the isomerization reaction based on three steps having different time constants.
The Photoreceptor for Phototaxis in the Photosynthetic Flagellate Euglena gracilis
Authors: Häder Donat‐P. , Lebert Michael 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe unicellular flagellate Euglena gracilis shows positive phototaxis at low fluence rates (≤10 W m 2) and negative phototaxis at high fluence rates (≥100 W m 2). Currently, retinal or flavins/pterins are discussed as chromo‐phores of the photoreceptor. When grown in the presence of 4 mM nicotine, a retinal inhibitor, for several generations, the cells still showed both responses, indicating that retinal is unlikely to be the chromophoric group of the photoreceptor responsible for phototaxis. The native flavin(s) can be substituted by growing the cells in roseo‐flavin dissolved in the medium. The absorption spectrum of roseoflavin extends well beyond the action spectrum for phototaxis (up to 600 nm). Excitation at wavelengths >550 nm does not cause phototactic orientation in control cells but causes both positive and negative phototaxis in roseoflavin‐grown cells, indicating an uptake and assembly of the chromophore in the photoreceptor complex. The white mutant strain 1224‐5/1f, induced by streptomycin treatment, lacks flavins as indicated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The phototaxis‐deficient pheno‐type cannot be complemented by the addition of external riboflavin. Fluorescence spectra of intact paraxonemal bodies (PAB) indicate that both pterins and flavins are involved in photoperception and that the excitation energy is efficiently funneled from the pterins to the flavins. This energy transfer is disrupted by solubilization of the PAB. In intact PAB flavins are not accessible to reducing or oxidizing substances, indicating that they are located inside the structure, while pterins are accessible, so that their localization can be assumed to be on the surface. The results described above are discussed with regard to the potential involvement of flavins and pterins as well as retinal in photoperception.
DNA Photodamage, Repair, Gene Induction and Genotoxicity Following Exposures to 254 nm UV and 8‐Methoxypsoralen Plus UVA in a Eukaryotic Cell System
Authors: Averbeck Dietrich , Averbeck Simone 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe induction and repair of different types of photodamage and photogenotoxicity in eukaryotic cells have been the subject of many studies. Little is known about possible links between these phenomena and the induction of DNA damage‐inducible genes. We explored this relationship using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a pertinent eukaryotic model. Previous results showed that the photogenotoxic potential of 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) plus UVA is higher than that of UV (254 nm). Moreover, the induction of the ribonucleotide reductase gene RNR2 by UV and 8‐MOP plus UVA in an RNR2‐LACZ fusion strain and the formation of DNA double‐strand breaks (dsb) as repair intermediates after such treatments suggest that the latter process could involve a signal for gene induction. To further substantiate this, we measured the induction of the DNA repair gene RAD51 in RAD51‐LACZ fusion strains using the dsb repair and recombination deficient mutant rad52 and the corresponding wild type, and we determined the formation of dsb by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis. After treatments, the resealing of dsb formed as repair intermediates was impaired in the rad52 mutant. At equal doses, i.e. the same number of lesions, the induction of the RAD51 gene by UV or 8‐MOP plus UVA was significantly reduced in the rad52 mutant as compared with the wild type. The same was true when equitoxic doses were used. Thus, the RAD52 repair pathway appears to play an important role not only in dsb repair but also in gene induction. Furthermore, the signaling pathways initiated by DNA damage and its processing are somewhat linked to the photogenotoxic response.