bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review into the use of ‘light diets’ for patients on surgical wards
Authors: Scutt S. , Hellman Z. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  The use of unnecessary or inappropriate dietary restriction may place patients at increased risk of malnutrition, the consequences of which are widely recognised (Alberda et al., 2006). The ‘light diet’, a historical approach to post‐operative nutrition, is commonly requested for the dietary management of surgical patients. The aim of the review was to quantify the use and establish knowledge and understanding of the ‘light diet’.Methods:  A literature search using the term ‘light diet’ was conducted using MEDLINE (1966 August 2005) and EMBASE (1980 August 2005).Surgical patients (170) were reviewed on a single day and those on a ‘light diet’ (indicated by bed signs) were recorded. A questionnaire of five multiple choice and open questions was developed, piloted and distributed to 100 multidisciplinary health professionals within the surgical directorate (surgeons, doctors, nurses, auxiliaries, dietitians and caterers) at random. All patients on a ‘light diet’ were asked if they were clear on what the dietary instruction involves.Results:  No literature was found using the search term ‘light diet’. Ten per cent of patients (17/170) were found to be on a ‘light diet’ on the day of the review; none of the patients understood the reason the diet was prescribed. The completion rate for the staff questionnaires was 67%. Fifty‐six believed that the diet consisted of soup and dessert, 30 small frequent meals and <10 thought it consisted of low fibre choices or light coloured foods, e.g. meringue, rice. The reasons given for prescribing a ‘light diet’ were following any gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, any GI investigation, oesophageal stent insertion, bowel obstruction, renal transplant or cardiothoracic surgery. The duration of the diet ranged from 1 to 7 days or on end point including the patient eating more, bowel function returned, level of nausea or at the surgeon's discretion. No group of healthcare professionals was identified as being responsible for providing dietary information although nurses or dietitians were most frequently cited. None of the staff were aware of any clinical evidence or hospital policy to support the use of ‘light diets’.Discussion:  There appears to be little evidence to support or refuse the use of ‘light diets’. Patients and healthcare professionals appear to be unclear of advocacy for the use of ‘light diets’.Conclusions:  The advocacy of a ‘light diet’ is neither evidence based practice nor best practice.Reference  Alberda, C., Graf, A. & McCargar, L. (2006) Malnutrition: etiology, consequences, and assessment of a patient at risk. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Gastroenterol.20, 419–439.
Ice cream, a new alternative to oral nutritional supplements
Authors: Wright C.L. , Marks M. , McDougall T. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Cancer patients have been identified as being at risk of nutritional problems due to the treatments of cytotoxic chemotherapy and local radiotherapy which can cause side effects such as general loss of appetite, sore, dry mouth, mucositis and oral thrush (Bella Talwar, 2007). Traditionally, oral nutritional supplement drinks are prescribed to provide nutritional support. Ice cream presents a new popular approach to treat malnutrition and has been proved successful in at least one previous unpublished trial. Ice cream is a cool, soft nutritious food which is very palatable and easy to swallow. Therefore, soft whip ice cream (Malibu Ice cream) machines were installed on the oncology wards. The aims of this study were to assess overall patient satisfaction of the ice cream compared with the standard hospital ice cream, how easy patients thought the new ice cream is to eat and the preference of ice cream over taking oral nutritional supplements.Methods:  A total of 123 patients on two oncology wards admitted from in 2007 over a 4 week period were asked to complete an internally developed patient satisfaction survey on the intervention, the new ice cream. Patients were asked to rate the new ice cream on taste, texture and preference over the standard ice cream. The new ice cream was given at meal times and available in between meals. The nutritional content of the ice cream (Malibu), 1269.7 kJ (300 kcal), 6 g protein per 6.6 oz portion [679 kJ (162 kcal), 4.1 g protein per 100 g] compares favourably with oral nutritional supplement drinks. The ice cream was given at meal times and available between meals on demand.Results:  There was a 41% (n = 59) response rate from the patient satisfaction survey. Of the responses received 74% rated the new ice cream as either excellent or good for taste. The majority (79%) of patients who responded thought that the ice cream was easy to eat. When asked about preference of the new ice cream compared to the standard hospital ice cream 77% of patients would prefer to eat the Malibu ice cream. Most (88%) patients would rather eat the ice cream than conventional nutritional supplements.Discussion:  The patients’ response to the introduction of this variety of ice cream was very positive. The ice cream showed potential benefits due to the compliance in this patient group.Conclusion:  The use of ice cream illustrates a positive way forward for the dietetic treatment of malnutrition in cancer patients and further work is planned for the future. The use of branded ice creams provides an acceptable alternative to oral nutritional supplements in cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy associated mouth problems.Reference  Talwar, B. (2007) Tackling nutritional problems related to cancer and its treatment. Complete Nutr. 7, 61–63.
Diet quality of persons living with HIV/AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Duran A. C. F. L. , Almeida L. B. , Segurado A. A. C. , Jaime P. C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  This study sought to assess the diet quality of individuals living with HIV/AIDS who were receiving antiretroviral therapy in São Paulo, Brazil.Methods  This cross‐sectional study involved 56 HIV‐infected adults. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected, and diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), modified for Brazilians, which included ten components: adequacy of intake of six different food groups, total fat, cholesterol, dietary fibre and dietary variety.Results  Among the individuals assessed, 64.3% of the participants had a diet needing improvement, while 8.7% had a poor diet. The overall HEI score was 68.3 points (SD = 14.9). Mean scores were low for fruits, vegetables, dairy products and dietary fibre; and high for meats and eggs, total fat and cholesterol. The overall HEI score was higher among individuals who were not overweight (P = 0.003), who were also more likely to achieve dietary goals for dairy products (P = 0.039) and grains (P = 0.005).Conclusion  Most of these adults living with HIV/AIDS had diets that required improvement, and being overweight was associated with poorer diet quality. Nutritional interventions aimed at maintaining healthy body weight and diet should be taken into account in caring for HIV‐infected people.
Personalized nutrition for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: a future perspective
Authors: Lovegrove J. A. , Gitau R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the Western and developing world. This multi‐factorial disease is influenced by many environmental and genetic factors. At present, public health advice involves prescribed population‐based recommendations, which have been largely unsuccessful in reducing CVD risk. This is, in part, due to individual variability in response to dietary manipulations, that arises from nutrient–gene interactions (defined by the term ‘nutrigenetics’). The shift towards personalized nutritional advice is a very attractive proposition, where, in principle, an individual can be given dietary advice specifically tailored to their genotype. However, the evidence‐base for the impact of interactions between nutrients and fixed genetic variants on biomarkers of CVD risk is still very limited. This paper reviews the evidence for interactions between dietary fat and two common polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ genes. Although an increased understanding of how these and other genes influence response to nutrients should facilitate the progression of personalized nutrition, the ethical issues surrounding its routine use need careful consideration.
Does maternal knowledge and parent education affect blood phenylalanine control in phenylketonuria?
Authors: MacDonald A. , Davies P. , Daly A. , Hopkins V. , Hall S. K. , Asplin D. , Hendriksz C. , Chakrapani A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Metabolic control in phenylketonuria (PKU) may be influenced by parental ability because dietary treatment involves complex food choices. This is an observational study to compare maternal carer (MC) knowledge and parental education with phenylalanine concentrations in children with PKU.Methods  Children (n = 46; 26 boys) aged 1–10 years (median age 6 years) on dietary treatment were recruited. Their median lifetime and median phenylalanine concentrations in the year prior to study were estimated. MC completed a questionnaire to assess dietary knowledge.Results  Overall maternal knowledge on most aspects of diet was good and there was a correlation between annual median blood phenylalanine concentrations, but at the age of 5–6 years of age only, and higher maternal carer scores on PKU knowledge (r = −0.646; P < 0.0001). Three of only four children (12%) with median phenylalanine concentrations above 500 μmol L−1 in the year prior to study had both parents leave school without educational qualifications. Children who had median phenylalanine concentrations (n = 3; 7%) over the recommended ranges at 3 years of age or earlier continued to have poor control.Conclusions  Blood phenylalanine control within the first 3 years of age, poor parental educational achievement at school level, and unsatisfactory maternal dietary knowledge may all influence longer‐term blood phenylalanine control in children.
A truer measure of the market: the molecular ecology of fisheries and wildlife trade
Authors: BAKER C. SCOTT 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWildlife and fisheries markets are end‐points in the supply chain of both legitimate and illegitimate or unregulated trade in species and natural products. Molecular ecology provides powerful tools for surveillance and estimation of this trade. Here, I review the application of these tools to market surveys and species in trade, including species identification and molecular taxonomy, population assignment and ‘mixed‐stock’ analysis, genetic tracking and capture–recapture by individual identification. I consider the analogy of markets to natural populations and also the unique features that require novel analytical approaches and sampling design. In the most developed of these applications, the molecular ecology of market surveys and confiscated trade shipments has provided independent estimates of illegal, unregulated or unreported exploitation for sharks, elephants and whales. Although each study has taken advantage of information from trade records or official government reports concerning the ostensible levels of exploitation, it is telling that the truer measure of exploitation seems to arise from the market end‐point of the supply chain.
The evolved stars of Leo II dSph galaxy from near-infrared UKIRT/WFCAM observations
Authors: Gullieuszik M. , Held E. V. , Rizzi L. , Girardi L. , Marigo P. , Momany Y. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
We present a study of the evolved stellar populations in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Leo II, based on JHKs observations obtained with the near-infrared array WFCAM at the UKIRT telescope. Combining the new data with optical data, we derived photometric estimates of the distribution of global metallicity [M/H] of individual red giant stars from their V−Ks colours. Our results are consistent with the metallicities of red giant branch (RGB) stars obtained from Ca ii triplet spectroscopy, once the age effects are considered. The photometric metallicity distribution function has a peak at [M/H]=−1.74 (uncorrected) or [M/H]=−1.64 ± 0.06 (random) ±0.17 (systematic) after correction for the mean age of Leo II stars (9 Gyr). The distribution is similar to a Gaussian with σ[M/H]= 0.19 dex, corrected for instrumental errors. We used the new data to derive the properties of a nearly complete sample of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in Leo II. Using a near-infrared two-colour diagram, we were able to obtain a clean separation from Milky Way foreground stars and discriminate between carbon- and oxygen-rich AGB stars, which allowed us to study their distribution in Ks-band luminosity and colour. We simulate the JHKs data with the trilegal population synthesis code together with the most updated thermally pulsing AGB models, and using the star formation histories derived from independent work based on deep Hubble Space Telescope photometry. After scaling the mass of Leo II models to the observed number of upper RGB stars, we find that present models predict too many O-rich thermally pulsing AGB (TP-AGB) stars of higher luminosity due to a likely underestimation of either their mass-loss rates at low metallicity, and/or their degree of obscuration by circumstellar dust. On the other hand, the TP-AGB models are able to reproduce the observed number and luminosities of carbon stars satisfactorily well, indicating that in this galaxy the least massive stars that became carbon stars should have masses as low as ∼1 M⊙.
Freshwater calcite precipitates from in vitro mesocosm flume experiments: a case for biomediation of tufas
Authors: PEDLEY MARTYN , ROGERSON MIKE , MIDDLETON RICHARD 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFreshwater carbonates (tufas) develop today from the Arctic to the tropics, many being localized about springs and upper water courses. Some Quaternary tufas, especially in the Mediterranean region, extend over tens of square kilometres and exceed 30 m in thickness. Radiometric dating of Holocene deposits shows that many have accumulated at an average rate of 1 mm year−1. However, local precipitation may be much faster and some Holocene deposits may even have outpaced their tropical marine carbonate counterparts. Recently, the study of active sites has attempted to quantify the precipitation mechanisms which lead to tufa deposition. However, field observation and sampling procedures suffer from the inherent disadvantages of uncontrolled fluctuations in environmental conditions during the study programme. These disadvantages compromise any interpretations, particularly where controls on spar versus micrite precipitation are concerned. Many of these problems have been overcome in the current study by the construction and operation of laboratory mesocosm flumes which simulate the natural conditions (e.g. pH, flow rate, ambient temperature and daylight) in which freshwater carbonate (tufa) is deposited. Three mesocosms were supplied with natural river water from tufa precipitating streams and two mesocosms were supplied with UV‐treated (sterile) river water from the same source. One of the untreated flume mesocosms was linked with a calcium reactor, which replaced calcium ions removed during the precipitation process in order to maintain tufa growth over extended experimental runs. Low‐magnesium calcite precipitates (both rhombic sparite grown from long‐crystallite dendrites and short‐crystallite dendrite triad precursors) and micrite peloids (grown from spherulitic precursors) were precipitated in intimate association with biofilm (extracellular polymeric substances) within the four mesocosms supplied with natural river water. Virtually, no tufa‐like precipitate was obtained from the flumes supplied with UV‐treated river water. A second extended run flume experiment was also carried out for comparison purposes using a calcium hydroxide solution in deionized water. Collectively, these experiments provide convincing evidence confirming that the presence of a microbial biofilm strongly influences the precipitation of carbonates in riverine freshwater settings. In particular, experimental results show that micro‐peloidal micrite and short‐crystallite calcite dendrites are only produced in the presence of microbial extracellular polymeric substances.
Investigation of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor gene diversity, KIR2DL1 and KIR2DS1
Authors: Meenagh A. , Gonzalez A. , Sleator C. , McQuaid S. , Middleton D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPolymorphism in the alleles of the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor 2DL1 and 2DS1 genes has been investigated by the development of polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probing systems. The methods have been applied to 77 Northern Irish families, establishing allele frequencies from the unrelated parents. Additionally, cell line DNA from individuals and CEPH families of the 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop panel were investigated. Eight of the reported KIR2DL1 alleles and only the KIR2DS1*002 allele were identified in the groups studied. Two individuals were positive for three alleles of KIR2DL1, and a putative variant of KIR2DL1*001 was observed. Results also indicated an inherited KIR2DL1/2DS1 splice variant present in a haplotype with several core loci absent, in two families.
The Mucosa of the Digestive Tract in Micropogonias furnieri: A Light and Electron Microscope Approach
Authors: Diaz A. O. , García A. M. , Figueroa D. E. , Goldemberg A. L. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe histomorphological aspects as well as the histochemical content and distribution of glycoproteins (GPs) in the mucosa of the digestive tract of the white croaker Micropogonias furnieri were studied. The buccopharyngeal cavity and the esophagous showed a squamous stratified epithelium with mucous cells. The stomach presented three portions: cardias, fundus and pylorus. Tubular glands formed by a single type of gland cell were located along the cardias and fundus. Histochemical tests showed that the buccopharyngeal cavity and the esophagous presented the largest amount of the different types of mucosubstances. Both organs showed abundant secretory mucous cells that synthesize large quantities of neutral, sulphated and sialylated GPs. The surface epithelium in the cardias and fundus synthesized and secreted scarce sialylated and neutral GPs whereas the secretions of the apical surface were abundant. The pylorus secreted large amounts of neutral as well as sulphated and sialylated GPs. Gland cells secreted neutral GPs. The ultrastructural features of the gut cells were quite similar to those of other teleosts. The buccopharyngeal cavity and the esophagous surface epithelial cells, identified by their superficial localization, were characterized by cytoplasmic vesicles of different size. Abundant goblet cells with secretory mucous granules were also present. Gastric glands in the stomach contained just one form of cell with a fine structure similar to cells that secrete pepsinogen.
Pineal System of Desert Rodents and its Relationship to the Epithalamus
Authors: Djeridane Y. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe morphological relationships of the pineal complex to the epithalamic structures have been examined at light microscopic level in five desert rodent species, Meriones crassus, Meriones lybicus, Gerbillus gerbillus, Psammomys obesus and Ctenodactylus vali. The pineal complex is classified as type ABC in M. crassus and G. gerbillus, AC in M. lybicus, AβC in P. obesus and αβC in C. vali. In these rodent species, the pineal is an elongated organ which is dumbbell‐shaped in G. gerbillus and M. lybicus, and extends above the cerebral hemispheres in M. crassus, leaf‐shaped in P. obesus and lancet‐shaped in C. vali. In P. obesus, pigment‐containing cells are noted in the superficial part of the gland. In all species examined, the suprahabenular recess which is an extension of the choroid plexus of the third ventricule establishes a close anatomical relationship with the deep pineal. In C. vali, the suprahabenular recess is also contiguous with the pineal stalk and the superficial pineal component. In M. lybicus, M. crassus, G. gerbillus and P. obesus, a prominent dorsal vessel, the vena cerebri magna, intervenes between the suprahabenular recess, the superficial portion and the stalk. The most striking feature noted in this study is the presence of numerous melanocytes in the connective tissue capsule of the pineal gland, in the connecting stalk and in the connective tissue core of the highly convoluted suprahabenular recess in M. lybicus and M. crassus. The location of melanocytes in the restricted pineal area may suggest that these cells have a morphosignificance in photoreception or photoprotection.
Age‐Related Three‐Dimensional Morphological Changes in Rat Motoneurons Innervating Diaphragm and Longissimus Muscles
Authors: Miyata H. , Suzuki T. , Maruyama A. , Wada N. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryWe investigated age‐related morphological changes of rat motoneurons innervating diaphragm muscle (DI‐MN) and lumber longissimus muscle (LL‐MN) in which quite different activation patterns exist. In young (2–4 months) and old (24–26 months) rats, the motoneurons innervating both muscles were labelled retrogradely by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin B subunit. After a 4‐day survival, horizontal slices of the spinal cord were processed with immunohistochemical staining (first antibody to cholera toxin B subunit and second antibody with Cy3) and observed with a confocal microscope. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of labelled motoneurons was performed to examine soma and dendrite morphology. As compared to the soma volume in young rats, significantly smaller values were found in old rats in both motoneurons and the degrees of decline were 16.1% in DI‐MN and 20.3% in LL‐MN. Significant decreases in the thickness of primary dendrites were also found in both motoneurons, and the degrees of decline were 17.5% in DI‐MN and 22.3% in LL‐MN. Smaller changes were found in DI‐MN than in LL‐MN, indicating the possibility that increased activation by central drives can attenuate age‐related morphological changes of the motor system in the spinal cord.
Bovine Lingual Tonsil: Histomorphological Characteristics With Special Reference to the Follicular Dendritic Cells
Authors: Rebmann S. , Gasse H. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryIn the bovine, the lingual tonsil is localized at the lingual radix. However, as the expansion of the tonsillar tissue was presumed to be much larger than the macroscopically visible part, selected specimens from the bovine tongue were examined to clarify if lymphatic tissue of the lingual tonsil was present rostral of a defined macroscopical landmark, i.e. rostral of the most caudal of the papillae vallatae. The identification of the lymphoreticular system was validated by means of the detection of reticulum cells, especially follicular dendritic cells (FDC). They characterize the tonsillar lymph nodules and distinguish them structurally from unspecific accumulations of lymphocytes. In our study, two monoclonal antibodies, i.e. CNA.42 and D46, detected bovine FDC cells in situ. ‘Organized’ lymphoid tissue – i.e. solitary lymph nodules and aggregations of lymph nodules, both either with or without surrounding connective tissue, and with or without crypts, but with immunopositive reactions for FDC – could be observed up to 30 mm rostral of the most caudal of the papillae vallatae. As these formations were not identified macroscopically, they shall be referred to as the disseminate part of the lingual tonsil.