bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does living in an urban environment confer advantages for childhood nutritional status? Analysis of disparities in nutritional status by wealth and residence in Angola, Central African Republic and Senegal
Authors: Kennedy Gina , Nantel Guy , Brouwer Inge D , Kok Frans J 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between childhood undernutrition and poverty in urban and rural areas.DesignAnthropometric and socio-economic data from Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys in Angola-Secured Territory (Angola ST), Central African Republic and Senegal were used in this analysis. The population considered in this study is children 0–59 months, whose records include complete anthropometric data on height, weight, age, gender, socio-economic level and urban or rural area of residence. In addition to simple urban/rural comparisons, the population was stratified using a wealth index based on living conditions and asset ownership to compare the prevalence, mean Z-score and odds ratios for stunting and wasting.ResultsIn all cases, when using a simple urban/rural comparison, the prevalence of stunting was significantly higher in rural areas. However, when the urban and rural populations were stratified using a measure of wealth, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight in urban and rural areas of Angola ST, Central African Republic and Senegal disappeared. Poor children in these urban areas were just as likely to be stunted or underweight as poor children living in rural areas. The odds ratio of stunting in the poorest compared with the richest quintile was 3.4, 3.2 and 1.5 in Angola ST, Senegal and Central African Republic, respectively.ConclusionsThis paper demonstrates that simple urban/rural comparisons mask wide disparities in subgroups according to wealth. There is a strong relationship between poverty and chronic undernutrition in both urban and rural areas; this relationship does not change simply by living in an urban environment. However, urban and rural living conditions and lifestyles differ, and it is important to consider these differences when designing programmes and policies to address undernutrition.
Monounsaturated fatty acids, olive oil and blood pressure: epidemiological, clinical and experimental evidence
Authors: Alonso Álvaro , Ruiz-Gutierrez Valentina , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel 
Published: March 2006

AbstractDiet has an important role in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. In early epidemiological studies, conducted mainly in the USA, monounsaturated fatty acids showed a deleterious association with blood pressure or no relationship at all. However, more recent studies, conducted in Mediterranean countries, have shed new light on this issue. In the present review we summarise the main results of epidemiological studies and feeding trials, and explain the possible mechanisms through which monounsaturated fatty acids, and specifically olive oil as the major dietary source of this type of fat in Mediterranean countries, could exert a favourable effect on blood pressure.
Is the 2000 CDC growth reference appropriate for developing countries?
Authors: Roberfroid Dominique , Lerude Marie-Paule , Pérez-Cueto Armando , Kolsteren Patrick 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produced a revised growth reference. This has already been used in different settings outside the USA. Using data obtained during a nutritional survey in Madagascar, we compare results produced by using both the 2000 CDC and the 1978 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organization (WHO) growth references. We show that changing the reference has an important impact on nutritional diagnosis. In particular, the prevalence of wasting is greatly increased. This could generate substantial operational and clinical difficulties. We recommend continued use of the 1978 NCHS/WHO reference until release of the new WHO multi-country growth charts.
The association between the body mass index of first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health indicators
Authors: Cilliers Janetta , Senekal Marjanne , Kunneke Ernesta 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between the weight status of first–year female students (FYFS) and various weight management–related characteristics to identify possible components of a weight management programme for students.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingFemale residences at a South African university.SubjectsA total of 360 FYFS.ResultsMean (± standard deviation (SD)) body mass index (BMI) of the FYFS was 21.8 ± 2.6 kg m−2, with 7.2% being underweight, 81.9% normal‐weight, 10.0% overweight and 0.8% obese. Underweight, normal–eight and overweight students differed with regard to their perception of their weight (P< 0.001), weight goals (P< 0.001) and previous weight–loss practices (P< 0.001). Mean ± SD score on the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT–26) was 8.5 ± 9.0 with 8.4% classified as high scorers. Mean ± SD score on the 34-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was 87.7 ± 32.2, with 76.1% classified as low, 11.9% as medium and 11.9% as high scorers. The self-concept questionnaire indicated that 36.7% had a high, 43.9% a medium and 19.4% a low self-concept. Higher BMI correlated with a higher BSQ score (P< 0.001), a lower self-concept (P= 0.029) and a higher EAT-26 score (P< 0.001). Smoking was prevalent amongst 13.1% of students, and 51.2% used vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Students who quitted smoking had higher (P= 0.006) BMI (22.7 ± 2.9 kg m-2) than those who never smoked before (21.6 ± 2.5 kg m−2). Normal-weight students were more physically active than underweight or overweight students (P= 0.038).ConclusionsThe specific weight management-related needs of FYFS include information about supplement use, smoking, realistic weight goals, safe and sound weight-loss methods, weight cycling, body-shape perceptions, eating attitudes and behaviours, self-concept and physical activity. Interventions aimed at correcting these problems should target all students, regardless of their BMI.
Television viewing behaviour and associations with food habits in different countries
Authors: Vereecken Carine A , Todd Joanna , Roberts Chris , Mulvihill Caroline , Maes Lea 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectiveSeveral environmental factors influence adolescents' food habits and television (TV) viewing is thought to be one of these factors. The purpose of the present study was to describe sociodemographic differences in TV viewing and to examine associations of TV viewing with the consumption of sweets, soft drinks, fruit and vegetables in different countries.MethodsData were collected from 162 305 young people completing the 2001/02 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey, a World Health Organization cross-national study on health and health behaviours among 11–, 13– and 15–year-old school pupils. Analyses of variance were used to examine sociodemographic differences in TV viewing and logistic regression analyses to examine associations between TV viewing and food habits.ResultsLarge differences were found between countries in reported daily TV viewing time, from an average of 2.0 h in Switzerland to 3.7 h in Ukraine. The results indicate that those most likely to watch TV are boys, 13-year-olds and pupils of lower socio-economic status. Those who watched more TV were more likely to consume sweets and soft drinks on a daily basis and less likely to consume fruit and vegetables daily, although the latter associations were not so apparent among Central and Eastern European countries.ConclusionsGiven the high TV viewing rates among adolescents and the association with less healthy food options, many young people are at increased risk of overweight or obesity. Interventions to modify TV viewing behaviour are needed. The findings underscore the importance of tackling socio-economic differences.
Food consumption patterns in an adult urban population in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: Nasreddine Lara , Hwalla Nahla , Sibai Abla , Hamzé Mouïn , Parent-Massin Dominique 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate, measure and assess the food consumption pattern of the adult population living in Beirut, Lebanon, and to identify inadequate or excessive intake of food groups particularly linked to non-communicable diseases.DesignA cross-sectional food consumption survey was conducted in 2001. Dietary habits were assessed by means of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire.SettingDietary survey of the urban population (Beirut).SubjectsRandom sample of 444 adult subjects (aged 25–54 years) in Beirut.ResultsThe mean consumption of food by the study population was estimated to be 3030 g day−1, providing an energy intake of 2523.57 kcal day−1. Fat contributed 38.9% to the average daily energy intake, protein 13.4% and carbohydrates 47.2%. Mean consumption of fruits and vegetables was approximately 367 g day−1and 45.3% of subjects consumed less than the recommended 400 g daily. Cereals contributed 324.5 g day−1, providing 35.0% of daily energy intake, with bread being the most highly consumed (146.2 g day−1) in this food group. The mean intake of meat and poultry products was 91.7 g day−1and provided 8.8% of daily energy intake, with consumption of butchery products especially beef being the highest (47.6 g day−1) followed by poultry (36.1 g day−1). A low consumption of fish was noted (19.7 g day−1), with 73.6% of subjects consuming less than the recommended 2 servings of fish per week. Dairy products contributed 243.1 g day−1or 10.9% of daily energy intake, and milk was the least consumed dairy product (56.8% of consumers). The intake of added fats and oils, excluding those in cooked recipes, was 20.4 g day−1; olive oil was not used in cooking but was added solely at the table and its mean intake was 5 g day−1. The consumption of butter was low (0.86 g day−1) and vegetable oil was the type of fat mostly used in cooking. The average intake of alcoholic beverages was low (33.6 g day−1), accounting for 0.7% of total energy intake. Women had significantly higher intakes of milk, dairy products, vegetables and coffee than men (P< 0.05). The percentage of women who reported the use of low-fat items was significantly higher than that of men. Younger people (25–34 years) ate significantly more meat, sugar, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and consumed significantly less cooked vegetables and legumes, than older ones (P< 0.05).ConclusionsThe rather high contribution of fat to daily energy intake, the low intake of fish and the relatively high percentage of people consuming less than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables observed in this study suggest that the adult Lebanese population is at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and other non-communicable diseases, which provides the basis for recommending increased intakes of fish, particularly fatty fish, and fruits and vegetables.
Analysis of protein tyrosine kinases expression in the melanoma metastases of patients treated with Imatinib Mesylate (STI571, GleevecTM)
Authors: Ivan Doina , Niveiro Maria , Diwan A. Hafeez , Eton Omar , Kim Kevin B. , Lacey Carol , Gonzalez Cipriano , Prieto Victor G. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibition has been identified as a promising strategy in the development of new selective therapies, targeting the signaling pathways in melanoma progression. Gleevec, a novel class of anti‐tumor drugs, may have a potential therapeutic benefit in melanoma, which involves abnormal activation of abl, c‐kit, and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) tyrosine kinases.Methods:  Tumor biopsies from 13 patients with metastatic melanoma were screened by immunohistochemistry for PTK [c‐kit, C‐abl, Abl‐related gene (ARG), PDGF receptor‐α (PDGFR‐α) and PDGFR‐β] expression before and after being treated with Gleevec @ 400 mg bid for 2 weeks. Both, percentage of positive cells and staining intensity were evaluated.Results:  We found a statistically significant (p < 0.01) selective loss of PTK expression in the follow‐up biopsy, both in intensity and number of positive cells. PDGFR‐α and ‐β had the highest level of expression reduction. One patient had a durable clinical response, and the follow‐up biopsy showed negative expression for four of the PTKs, namely c‐abl, ARG, PDGFR‐α, and β.Conclusions:  Our study reports for the first time the in vivo effect of Gleevec in the induction of apparently selective reduction of PTKs expression under anti‐tyrosine kinases treatment, suggesting its potential role in melanoma treatment.
The expression of p63 in basal cell carcinomas and association with histological differentiation
Authors: Bircan Sema , Candir Ozden , Kapucoglu Nilgun , Baspinar Sirin 
Published: March 2006

Background:  We aim to examine p63 expression in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and to investigate association with their histopathological differentiation subtypes.Methods:  Eighty‐four BCCs were classified according to the histopathologic differentiation subtypes. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody against p63 was performed.Results:  In nontumoral skin, p63 expression was consistently seen in basal/suprabasal cells of epidermis, hair matrix cells, and outer root sheath of the hair follicle. In BCCs, the cases were distributed as 47 undifferentiated, 28 differentiated (16 adenoid and 12 keratotic), and nine superficial. The nuclear p63 expression was negative in two cases, whereas 64 BCCs (76.2%) showed homogeneous p63 immunostaining. There was no statistically significant difference between p63 expression and histological differentiation subtypes (p > 0.05). The expression of p63 was found strongly and diffuse in 72.3% of solid undifferentiated and 82.1% differentiated and in 77.8% of superficial type BCCs.Conclusions:  p63 is consistently expressed in epidermal basal/suprabasal and adnexal basal cells. Most BCCs have higher homogeneous p63 expression than nontumoral epidermis, which is not changed according to histological differentiation subtypes. Thus, overexpression of p63 in all histological subtypes may confirm that basaloid progenitor cells are linked tumor‐cell lineage and have a role in the tumorigenesis of BCC.
Oral malignant melanoma associated with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. Report of a case
Authors: Meleti Marco , Mooi Wolter J. , Van Der Waal Isaäc 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH), a histological mimic of squamous cell carcinoma, is an exuberant reactive epithelial proliferation that may be induced by a variety of infectious, traumatic, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions of the skin and mucous membranes. PEH has been described in association with Spitz nevi and intramucosal nevi but not with oral malignant melanoma.Methods and results:  A case of PEH in malignant melanoma of the palate in a 46‐year‐old female patient has been described. A search of the English literature did not disclose any previously reported case of such event.Conclusions:  PEH associated with oral malignant melanoma is apparently very rare and most likely originates from the surface epithelium. This is in contrast with PEH in cutaneous melanoma where follicular or eccrine units have been suggested to be the origin.
IgG4 as the predominant IgG subclass in pemphigoides gestationis
Authors: Patton T. , Plunkett R. W. , Beutner E. H. , Deng J. S. , Jukic D. M. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Pemphigoides gestationis (PG) is a blistering disorder of pregnancy caused by antibodies against basement membrane proteins. They are directed against the 180 kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAg2), towards the epitopes within the NC 16A domain. There are many similarities between pemphigoid gestationis and bullous pemphigoid (BP), but the literature so far indicated different immunofluorescence results in regards with C3 and IgG, and IgG subclasses (IgG4 vs. IgG1).Methods:  We evaluated staining patterns and IgG subclasses, as well as C5b‐9 membrane attack complex (MAC) in 10 pregnant patients with PG, using sandwich double antibody immunofluorescence (SDAI) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF).Results:  All ten specimens stained with C3 by DIF, but only five had trace amount of IgG reactants by this method. By SDAI, 100% were positive for the IgG4 and C5b‐9 MAC, 70% for IgG2, 50% for IgG1, and 40% for IgG3.Conclusion:  IgG4 was the predominant IgG subtype identified. This finding has not been reported for PG, but it mimics results reported for BP. One explanation is prolonged disease course, as well as blocking of antigenic domains by IgG4. Understanding this completely will help develop therapies and prevention strategies for immunobullous and other autoimmune diseases, and perhaps aid in an exact classification.
t(14;18)(q32;q21) involving IGH and MALT1 is uncommon in cutaneous MALT lymphomas and primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Wongchaowart Nicholas T. , Kim Bong , Hsi Eric D. , Swerdlow Steven H. , Tubbs Raymond R. , Cook James R. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  t(14;18)(q32;q21) involving IGH and MALT1 has been demonstrated in cutaneous MALT lymphomas and in one case of primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the incidence of IGH/MALT1 translocations in these forms of cutaneous lymphoma remains unclear.Methods:  We performed paraffin section interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using MALT1 and IGH break‐apart probes on 16 cutaneous MALT lymphomas and 16 primary cutaneous DLBCL in order to assess the frequency of IGH/MALT1 translocations and to screen for other potential translocations involving the IGH or MALT1 loci.Results:  Translocations involving MALT1 were not detected in any of 16 cutaneous MALT lymphomas or 16 primary cutaneous DLBCL. Of the 12 MALT lymphomas that could be analyzed for an IGH translocation, all were negative. In contrast, four of the 13 cases (31%) of primary cutaneous DLBCL that could be analyzed for translocations involving IGH were positive. Subsequent FISH analysis demonstrated one of these to be an IGH/BCL2 translocation and one to be a CMYC/IGH translocation, while the translocation partners in the remaining two cases are currently unidentified.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that translocations involving MALT1, including IGH/MALT1, are uncommon in cutaneous MALT lymphomas and primary cutaneous DLBCL. Other translocations involving IGH also are not involved in the pathogenesis of at least most cutaneous MALT lymphomas. In contrast, primary cutaneous DLBCL may contain one of several IGH translocations in a minority of cases.
Genetic polymorphism of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and colorectal adenomas: Self Defense Forces Health Study
Authors: Tabata Shinji , Yin Guang , Ogawa Shinsaku , Yamaguchi Keizo , Mineshita Masamichi , Kono Suminori 
Published: March 2006

Bile acids have long been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis, but epidemiological evidence is limited. Cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) is the rate‐limiting enzyme producing bile acids from cholesterol. A recent case‐control study showed a decreased risk of proximal colon cancer associated with the CC genotype of the CYP7A1 A‐203C polymorphism. The present study examined the relationship between the CYP7A1 A‐203C polymorphism and colorectal adenoma, which is a well‐established precursor lesion of colorectal cancer. The study subjects comprised 446 cases of colorectal adenomas and 914 controls of normal total colonoscopy among men receiving a preretirement health examination at two hospitals of the Self Defense Forces (SDF). The CYP7A1 genotype was determined by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Statistical adjustment was made for age, hospital, rank in the SDF, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, physical activity and parental history of colorectal cancer. The CYP7A1 polymorphism was not measurably related to the overall risk of colorectal adenomas. However, the CC genotype was associated with a decreased risk of proximal colon adenomas, but not of distal colon and rectal adenomas. Adjusted odds ratios of proximal colon adenomas (95% confidence intervals) for the AC and CC genotype versus AA genotype were 0.82 (0.54–1.24) and 0.56 (0.34–0.95), respectively. The findings add to evidence for the role of bile acids in colorectal carcinogenesis. The CC genotype of the CYP7A1 A‐203C polymorphism probably renders lower activity of the enzyme synthesizing bile acids. (Cancer Sci 2006)
Upstream open reading frames of the barley Mla13 powdery mildew resistance gene function co‐operatively to down‐regulate translation
Authors: HALTERMAN DENNIS A. , WISE ROGER P. 
Published: March 2006

SUMMARYTo protect themselves against pathogen infection, plants have evolved multifarious defence mechanisms that include the production of antimicrobial compounds and hypersensitive cell death. This defence includes the regulation of expression of resistance proteins, which function to detect pathogen effectors and control the response. Barley Mla is one of several Ml genes that confer specific resistance to the powdery mildew fungus, Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. The Mla13 allele contains a long (523 nt) transcript leader region with three upstream open reading frames (uORFs) and two alternatively spliced introns. The lengths of the Mla13 uORFs, which encode up to 70 amino acid peptides, are directly influenced by the splicing of these introns. We have used in vivo and in vitro translation assays to show that Mla13 uORFs function co‐operatively to down‐regulate translation of the parent cistron up to 13‐fold. However, resistance conferred by constitutively transcribed Mla appears to be unaffected by removal of these uORFs, signifying that a potential increase in MLA13 protein is innocuous to barley cells. In addition, cells that possess a predicted increase in MLA13 translation via over‐expression and uORF mutation retain their requirement for RAR1, suggesting that this increase is not sufficient to overcome the concentration threshold required for activation of RAR1‐independent resistance.
A qualitative investigation of changes in the belief systems of families of children with autism or Down syndrome
Authors: King G. A. , Zwaigenbaum L. , King S. , Baxter D. , Rosenbaum P. , Bates A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  There have been few reports of the world views, values and priorities of families of children with autism or Down syndrome, despite the fact that family belief systems are considered to be among the most important factors affecting the adaptation and resilience of families.Methods  Transcripts from three focus groups involving 19 key informants (15 parents of children with autism or Down syndrome, and 4 service providers) were analysed using qualitative methods.Results  The themes indicated that raising a child with a disability can be a life‐changing experience that spurs families to examine their belief systems. Parents can come to gain a sense of coherence and control through changes in their world views, values and priorities that involve different ways of thinking about their child, their parenting role, and the role of the family. Although parents may grapple with lost dreams, over time positive adaptations can occur in the form of changed world views concerning life and disability, and an appreciation of the positive contributions made by children to family members and society as a whole. Parents’ experiences indicate the importance of hope and of seeing possibilities that lie ahead.Conclusions  The information from this study may be used to provide families with an advance understanding of the changes in beliefs that they might undergo, and assists service providers in providing individualized and family‐centred services and supports to families.