bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obesity Metaphors: How Beliefs about the Causes of Obesity Affect Support for Public Policy
Authors: BARRY COLLEEN L. , BRESCOLL VICTORIA L. , BROWNELL KELLY D. , SCHLESINGER MARK 
Published: March 2009

Context: Relatively little is known about the factors shaping public attitudes toward obesity as a policy concern. This study examines whether individuals' beliefs about the causes of obesity affect their support for policies aimed at stemming obesity rates. This article identifies a unique role of metaphor‐based beliefs, as distinct from conventional political attitudes, in explaining support for obesity policies. Methods: This article used the Yale Rudd Center Public Opinion on Obesity Survey, a nationally representative web sample surveyed from the Knowledge Networks panel in 2006/07 (N = 1,009). The study examines how respondents' demographic and health characteristics, political attitudes, and agreement with seven obesity metaphors affect support for sixteen policies to reduce obesity rates. Findings: Including obesity metaphors in regression models helps explain public support for policies to curb obesity beyond levels attributable solely to demographic, health, and political characteristics. The metaphors that people use to understand rising obesity rates are strong predictors of support for public policy, and their influence varies across different types of policy interventions. Conclusions: Over the last five years, the United States has begun to grapple with the implications of dramatically escalating rates of obesity. Individuals use metaphors to better understand increasing rates of obesity, and obesity metaphors are independent and powerful predictors of support for public policies to curb obesity. Metaphorical reasoning also offers a potential framework for using strategic issue framing to shift support for obesity policies.
A Cross‐Sectional Prevalence Study of Ethnically Targeted and General Audience Outdoor Obesity‐Related Advertising
Authors: YANCEY ANTRONETTE K. , COLE BRIAN L. , BROWN ROCHELLE , WILLIAMS JEROME D. , HILLIER AMY , KLINE RANDOLPH S. , ASHE MARICE , GRIER SONYA A. , BACKMAN DESIREE , McCARTHY WILLIAM J. 
Published: March 2009

Context: Commercial marketing is a critical but understudied element of the sociocultural environment influencing Americans' food and beverage preferences and purchases. This marketing also likely influences the utilization of goods and services related to physical activity and sedentary behavior. A growing literature documents the targeting of racial/ethnic and income groups in commercial advertisements in magazines, on billboards, and on television that may contribute to sociodemographic disparities in obesity and chronic disease risk and protective behaviors. This article examines whether African Americans, Latinos, and people living in low‐income neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to advertisements for high‐calorie, low nutrient–dense foods and beverages and for sedentary entertainment and transportation and are relatively underexposed to advertising for nutritious foods and beverages and goods and services promoting physical activities. Methods: Outdoor advertising density and content were compared in zip code areas selected to offer contrasts by area income and ethnicity in four cities: Los Angeles, Austin, New York City, and Philadelphia. Findings: Large variations were observed in the amount, type, and value of advertising in the selected zip code areas. Living in an upper‐income neighborhood, regardless of its residents' predominant ethnicity, is generally protective against exposure to most types of obesity‐promoting outdoor advertising (food, fast food, sugary beverages, sedentary entertainment, and transportation). The density of advertising varied by zip code area race/ethnicity, with African American zip code areas having the highest advertising densities, Latino zip code areas having slightly lower densities, and white zip code areas having the lowest densities. Conclusions: The potential health and economic implications of differential exposure to obesity‐related advertising are substantial. Although substantive legal questions remain about the government's ability to regulate advertising, the success of limiting tobacco advertising offers lessons for reducing the marketing contribution to the obesigenicity of urban environments.
The Politics of Obesity: A Current Assessment and Look Ahead
Authors: KERSH ROGAN 
Published: March 2009

Context: The continuing rise in obesity rates across the United States has proved impervious to clinical treatment or public health exhortation, necessitating policy responses. Nearly a decade's worth of political debates may be hardening into an obesity issue regime, comprising established sets of cognitive frames, stakeholders, and policy options. Methods: This article is a survey of reports on recently published studies. Findings: Much of the political discussion regarding obesity is centered on two “frames,” personal‐responsibility and environmental, yielding very different sets of policy responses. While policy efforts at the federal level have resulted in little action to date, state and/or local solutions such as calorie menu labeling and the expansion of regulations to reduce unhealthy foods at school may have more impact. Conclusions: Obesity politics is evolving toward a relatively stable state of equilibrium, which could make comprehensive reforms to limit rising obesity rates less feasible. Therefore, to achieve meaningful change, rapid‐response research identifying a set of promising reforms, combined with concerted lobbying action, will be necessary.
Clinical evaluation of four recombinant Treponema pallidum antigen‐based rapid diagnostic tests for syphilis
Authors: Li J , Zheng H‐Y , Wang L‐N , Liu Y‐X , Wang X‐F , Liu X‐R 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and feasibility of four rapid tests in the diagnosis of syphilis in sexually transmitted disease diagnosis and treatment centre of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Methods  Tests were performed on consecutive clinic attendees, using whole blood in the clinic, and whole blood and serum in the laboratory. The sensitivity and specificity of each test was evaluated, using a standard treponemal test (Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay) as the gold standard.Results  The results are as follows. Abbott Determine Syphilis TP test: for serum specimens, the sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 98.9%; for whole blood specimens, the sensitivity was 81.9% and specificity was 99.4%. SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0 test: for serum specimens, the sensitivity was 95.5% and specificity was 97.9%; for whole blood specimens, the sensitivity was 87.6% and specificity was 99.4%. VisiTect‐Syphilis test: for serum specimens, the sensitivity was 94.0% and specificity was 98.1%; for whole blood specimens, the sensitivity was 73.5% and specificity was 99.7%. Syphicheck‐WB test: for serum specimens, the sensitivity was 67.4% and specificity was 98.8%; for whole blood specimens, the sensitivity was 64.0% and specificity was 99.7%.Conclusion  We therefore strongly believe that rapid serological tests for syphilis are an acceptable alternative to conventional laboratory tests. Since they do not require equipment or electricity, they could increase coverage of syphilis screening, and enable treatment to be given at the first clinic visit.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: Caproni M , Antiga E , Melani L , Fabbri P ,   The Italian Group for Cutaneous Immunopathology
Published: March 2009

AbstractDermatitis herpetiformis is a rare disease that should be considered the cutaneous expression of a gluten‐sensitive enteropathy indistinguishable from celiac disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis is often misdiagnosed and to date no guidelines for the management of dermatitis herpetiformis have been published in Literature. The present guidelines have been prepared for dermatologists by the Group for Cutaneous Immunopathology of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology. They reflect the best data available at the time of preparation and the clinical experience of the authors and the members of the Italian Group for Cutaneous Immunopathology. The diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis is established clinically, histologically, immunopathologically and serologically. A gluten‐free diet (GFD) is the treatment of choice for patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Dapsone and/or other drugs should be used during the period until the GFD is effective. In conclusion, the present guidelines provide evidence‐based guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
Mometasone furoate 0.1% and salicylic acid 5% vs. mometasone furoate 0.1% as sequential local therapy in psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Tiplica G‐S , Salavastru CM 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground and objective  Treatment in psoriasis vulgaris continues to unmet needs in terms of efficacy, quality of life and costs. Patients with moderate forms of psoriasis are using topical corticosteroids as first‐line therapy and patients with severe forms also use this therapy. Optimization of this treatment is made by the use of combination drugs or by the sequential or rotational therapies. A multicentric clinical study was performed to measure the efficiency of mometasone furoate 0.1% and salicylic acid 5% and mometasone furoate 0.1% as sequential local therapy in psoriasis.Methods  This was a randomized, multicentre trial with two patient groups receiving active treatment. The study group (N = 184) received mometasone furoate 0.1% and salicylic acid 5% for the first 7 days of treatment, and in the following 14 days, the patients used mometasone furoate 0.1%. The second group (N = 176) was treated with mometasone furoate 0.1% for 21 consecutive days. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were calculated.Results  After the first week of treatment in the study group, the reduction of PASI score was 44%, statistically significant greater than the reduction of PASI score in the second group (37%). Quality of life estimated by DLQI indicated significant lower values in the first (study) group.Conclusion  The sequential treatment mometasone furoate 0.1% and salicylic acid 5% followed by mometasone furoate 0.1% proves to be efficient, safe and an excellent option for the following sequence: in‐patient and out‐patient.Conflict of InterestNone declared.
A constitutively active form of neurokinin 1 receptor and neurokinin 1 receptor‐mediated apoptosis in glioblastomas
Authors: Akazawa Toshimasa , Kwatra Shawn G. , Goldsmith Laura E. , Richardson Mark D. , Cox Elizabeth A. , Sampson John H. , Kwatra Madan M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) occurs naturally in human glioblastomas and its stimulation causes cell proliferation. In the present study we show that stimulation of NK1R in human U373 glioblastoma cells by substance P increases Akt phosphorylation by 2.5‐fold, with an EC50of 57 nM. Blockade of NK1R lowers basal phosphorylation of Akt, indicating the presence of a constitutively active form of NK1R; similar results are seen in U251 MG and DBTRG‐05 glioblastoma cells. Linkage of NK1R to Akt implicates NK1R in apoptosis of glioblastoma cells. Indeed, treatment of serum‐starved U373 cells with substance P reduces apoptosis by 53 ± 1% (p < 0.05), and treatment with NK1R antagonist L‐733,060 increases apoptosis by 64 ± 16% (p < 0.01). Further, the blockade of NK1R in human glioblastoma cells with L‐733,060 causes cleavage of Caspase‐3 and proteolysis of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase. Experiments designed to elucidate the mechanism of NK1R‐mediated Akt phosphorylation revealed total involvement of non‐receptor tyrosine kinase Src and phosphatidyl‐3‐kinase, a partial involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor, and no involvement of mitogen‐activated protein/extracellular signal‐related kinase. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate a key role for NK1R in glioblastoma apoptosis.
Interaction of catechol and non‐catechol substrates with externally or internally facing dopamine transporters
Authors: Liang Ying‐Jian , Zhen Juan , Chen Nianhang , Reith Maarten E. A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOur previous work suggested that collapsing the Na+gradient and membrane potential converts the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) to an inward‐facing conformation with a different substrate binding profile. Here, DAT expressing human embryonic kidney 293 cells were permeabilized with digitonin, disrupting ion/voltage gradients and allowing passage of DAT substrates. The potency of p‐tyramine and other non‐catechols (d‐amphetamine, β‐phenethylamine, MPP+) in inhibiting cocaine analog binding to DAT in digitonin‐treated cells was markedly weakened to a level similar to that observed in cell‐free membranes. In contrast, the potency of DA and another catechol, norepinephrine, was not significantly changed by the same treatment, whereas epinephrine showed only a modest reduction. These findings suggest that catechol substrates interact symmetrically with both sides of DAT and non‐catechol substrates, favoring binding to outward‐facing transporter. In the cocaine analog binding assay, the mutant W84L displayed enhanced intrinsic binding affinity for substrates in interacting with both outward‐ and inward‐facing states; D313N showed wild‐type‐like symmetric binding; but D267L and E428Q showed an apparent improvement in the permeation pathway from the external face towards the substrate site. Thus, the structure of both substrate and transporter play a role in the sidedness and mode of interaction between them.
Role of the nitric oxide on diazoxide‐induced relaxation of the calf cardiac vein and coronary artery during cooling
Authors: Atalik K. E. , Kiliç M. , Doğan N. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe effects of cooling (to 28 °C) on the vasodilation induced by diazoxide (10−9–3 × 10−4 m) on carbachol‐pre‐contracted calf cardiac vein and coronary artery and the role of nitric oxide in these effects were analyzed. Diazoxide produced concentration‐dependent relaxation of calf cardiac vein and coronary artery rings pre‐contracted with carbachol (10−6 m). During cooling, the pIC50values, but not the maximal responses, to diazoxide were significantly lower than at 37 °C in both preparations. Cooling to 28 °C in the presence of NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (10−4 m) did not modify the effect of temperature both in cardiac vein and coronary artery. These results suggest that cooling‐induced changes of diazoxide in calf cardiac vein and coronary artery are independent of nitric oxide.
Modulation of antigen‐induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant
Authors: Vij Garima , Gupta Amit , Chopra Kanwaljit 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIt is believed that physical stress, infection and oxidative stress are involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is little evidence stating the beneficial role of nutritional supplements in chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on this, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of naringin, a natural polyphenol, in a mouse model of immunologically‐induced fatigue, wherein purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well asBrucella abortus(BA) antigen was used as immunogens. The assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome was based on chronic water‐immersion stress test for 10 mins as well as measurement of hyperalgesia for 19 days. Immobility time and tail withdrawal latency as well as oxidative stress were taken as the markers of fatigue. Mice challenged with LPS or BA for 19 days showed significant increase in the immobility time, hyperalgesia and oxidative stress on 19th day. Serum tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels markedly increased with LPS or BA challenge. Concurrent treatment with naringin resulted in the significant decrease in the immobility time as well as hyperalgesia. There was significant attenuation of oxidative stress as well as in TNF‐α levels. Present findings strongly suggest the role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, and treatment with naringin can be a valuable option in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Eosinophils involved in fulminant hepatic failure are associated with high interleukin‐6 expression and absence of interleukin‐5 in liver and peripheral blood
Authors: Carlos Moraes dos Santos Damião , Da Silva Gomes Martinho José Manoel , Pacheco‐Moreira Lúcio Filgueiras , Carvalho Viana de Araújo Cristina , Caroli‐Bottino Adriana , Pannain Vera Lúcia , Soares Trinta Karen , Gandini Mariana , Da Costa Neves Patrícia Cristina , De Souza Matos Denise Cristina , Gonçalves Caputo Luzia Fátima , Pelajo‐Machado Marcelo , Alves Pinto Marcelo 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground/Aims: Although eosinophils are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various parasitic, allergic and autoimmune digestive diseases, their role in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is unknown. Our contribution was to identify and quantify eosinophils and cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐5 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α] in liver parenchyma and peripheral blood from FHF patients at pre‐ and post‐transplantation steps.Methods: Histochemical methods were used to identify/quantify eosinophils in liver samples. Liver and plasma cytokine levels were quantified using immunofluorescence methods.Results: Fulminant hepatic failure patients showed a high number of intrahepatic eosinophils concomitant with an increased expression of IL‐6, besides the IL‐6‐positive eosinophils associated with the lack of IL‐5. Also, an increased number of eosinophils and soluble IL‐6 and MIP‐1α with a low expression of IL‐5 in peripheral blood at the pretransplantation step was observed.Conclusions: The increased number of intrahepatic eosinophils, besides the high production of IL‐6, may be involved in liver dysfunction. In addition, the low presence of IL‐5 in liver and peripheral blood may represent a particular pattern of eosinophil behaviour in human liver failure, which may also involve MIP‐1α. Further ex vivo studies are necessary to evaluate the specific role of eosinophils in FHF.
Presence of Thrombin‐Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor in Helicobacter pylori‐Associated Gastroduodenal Disease
Authors: Ikeda Ayumi , Gabazza Esteban C. , Morser John , Imoto Ichiro , Kuroda Mikihito , D’Alessandro‐Gabazza Corina N. , Hara Kenichiro , Ruiz Daniel Boveda , Bernabe Paloma Gil , Katsurahara Masaki , Toda Masaaki , Kobayashi Yoshinao , Yano Yutaka , Sumida Yasuhiro , Suzuki Koji , Taguchi Osamu , Takei Yoshiyuki 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) plays a role in the regulation of coagulation and inflammation. In addition to inhibiting the fibrinolytic system, TAFI may also regulate the bradykinin and complement systems. We hypothesized that TAFI also plays a role in defense mechanisms of the gastric mucosa during Helicobacter pylori infection. This study comprised 65 patients with gastroduodenal disorders: 41 patients with H. pylori infection, 13 without, and 11 patients with cured H. pylori infection. The gastric intramucosal concentrations of TAFI were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The gastric levels of TAFI and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 were significantly increased in patients with H. pylori compared to those without infection or cured H. pylori. The presence of TAFI was detected in gastric mucosal epithelial cells. The concentration of TAFI was correlated with the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy, inflammation, and disease activity. These results show that TAFI is present in the gastric mucosa and that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection‐associated gastroduodenal disorders.
Fur‐Independent Induction of Helicobacter pylori Flavodoxin‐Encoding Gene (fldA) Under Iron Starvation
Authors: Kwon Dong H. , Versalovic James 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a variety of diseases including gastric cancer. Flavodoxin is an electron transfer protein containing a flavin mononucleotide prosthetic group and substituted an iron‐containing electron transfer protein under iron‐limiting conditions. H. pylori flavodoxin has been reported but its pathogenic role is unclear. The aim of this study is to understand a pathogenic role of H. pylori flavodoxin under iron‐limiting condition.Methods: The flavodoxin‐encoding gene (fldA) was cloned from one of clinical H. pylori isolates (DU17) and its transcript was quantified by primer extension, Northern hybridization, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction in different concentrations of an iron chelator. The fldA transcript was also quantified in H. pylori ATCC 700392, lacking a ferric uptake regulatory (fur) protein.Result: Nucleotide sequence of the fldA from H. pylori DU17 revealed a 492‐bp (164 amino acids) open reading frame with a deduced amino acid sequence having 97% identity to that from the complete genomic sequence of H. pylori 26695. The deduced promoter [–35, –10, and +1] of the fldA was 56‐bp upstream from the first codon of FldA. The fldA transcript (~0.55‐kb) was induced up to 14‐fold in both wild‐type and fur‐knocked‐out strains under iron‐limiting conditions, suggesting that the fldA induction is independent to the Fur protein.Conclusion: The fldA gene may play an important role in iron starvation conditions.
The Internationalization of Corporate R&D: A Review of the Evidence and Some Policy Implications for Home Countries1
Authors: Dunning John H. , Lundan Sarianna M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA review of the existing evidence on the degree of internationalization of the innovative activities of multinational enterprises (MNEs) reveals three main trends. These are the continuing reliance of firms on the home country as a base for innovation, structural changes in MNEs toward more affiliate autonomy, and a small but growing presence of cross‐border innovative activities in a group of nontraditional host countries. We argue that these trends pose two interrelated policy challenges for home countries. First, governments need to ensure that the national innovation system enables domestic MNEs to engage in global knowledge sourcing in a way that is complementary to their activities in the home base. Second, the continued importance of publicly funded R&D to corporate innovation implies that home countries, along with MNEs, need to be actively engaged in the standard setting processes in global markets in order to shape an appropriability regime that allows for the effective capture of economic gains from innovation.