bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer testing of the preliminary paediatric food-based dietary guidelines for healthy children aged 1–7 years, among English- and Afrikaans-speaking mothers in the city of Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Scott Lesley Dalene , Marais Debbi , Bourne Lesley 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this qualitative study was to test the comprehensibility of the preliminary food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) for healthy South African children aged 1–7 years. Objectives included assessing exposure to FBDG, comprehension of the proposed paediatric FBDG (PFBDG) and whether the guidelines can be used in meal planning.DesignFocus group discussions were used to collect data. Discussions were facilitated by the investigator in either English or Afrikaans, according to a predetermined discussion schedule. Focus groups were formed on the basis of language and socio-economic status (SES).SettingAreas within the City of Cape Town representing lower, middle and upper SES groups.SubjectsA total of seventy-six English- and Afrikaans-speaking mothers were contacted via randomly selected consenting preschool groups to participate voluntarily.ResultsMost mothers reported that they do not use guidelines. They had a good grasp of the concepts of and need for PFBDG. They suggested slight alterations to wording/phrasing of the guidelines. The most problematic guidelines were those regarding starch, milk and sweet treats/drinks. No substantial differences were found between English and Afrikaans data. Differences were found between SES groups, with the upper SES groups comprehending the guidelines better.ConclusionThe proposed PFBDG were well received. The target population that would benefit the most from these guidelines would be the less educated, lower SES groups. The present study shows that once the guidelines have been modified, they may be used as a comprehensive guide for nutritional education.
Perception of needs and responses in food security: divergence between households and stakeholders
Authors: Hamelin Anne-Marie , Mercier Céline , Bédard Annie 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the study was (i) to describe the needs of food-insecure households and their assessment of community programmes, as expressed by households and perceived by stakeholders; and (ii) to examine the similarities and differences between households’ and stakeholders’ perceptions in Quebec City area.Design/setting/subjectsA semi-structured interview and sociodemographic questionnaire with fifty-five households and fifty-nine stakeholders (community workers, managers, donor agencies). The transcriptions were subjected to content analysis and inter-coder reliability measurement.ResultsThe respondents’ perceptions converge towards three main categories of needs: needs specific to food security, conditions necessary for achieving food security and related needs. There was agreement on the necessity of better financial resources, although the impact of financial resources alone may be uncertain in the opinion of some stakeholders. Different perceptions of needs and of their fulfilment by community programmes emerge between both groups. Despite households found positive aspects, they complained that quality of food and access were major needs neglected. Their account suggests overall a partial fit between the programmes and food security needs; even a combination of programmes (e.g. collective kitchens, purchasing groups, community gardens) was insufficient to adequately meet these needs. In contrast, most stakeholders perceived that the household’s primary need was a basic amount of food and that the households were satisfied with programmes.ConclusionsIt is urgent to evaluate the overall effect of community programmes on specific aspects of household food insecurity. The results emphasise that community programmes alone cannot bring about social change needed to prevent food insecurity.
Overweight and obesity among Ghanaian residents in The Netherlands: how do they weigh against their urban and rural counterparts in Ghana?
Authors: Agyemang Charles , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , de Jonge Ank , Martins David , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Stronks Karien 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate differences in overweight and obesity between first-generation Dutch-Ghanaian migrants in The Netherlands and their rural and urban counterparts in Ghana.DesignCross-sectional study.SubjectsA total of 1471 Ghanaians (rural Ghanaians, n 532; urban Ghanaians, n 787; Dutch-Ghanaians, n 152) aged ≥17 years.Main outcome measuresOverweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2).ResultsDutch-Ghanaians had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (men 69·1 %, women 79·5 %) than urban Ghanaians (men 22·0 %, women 50·0 %) and rural Ghanaians (men 10·3 %, women 19·0 %). Urban Ghanaian men and women also had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than their rural Ghanaian counterparts. In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and education, the odds ratios for being overweight or obese were 3·10 (95 % CI 1·75, 5·48) for urban Ghanaian men and 19·06 (95 % CI 8·98, 40·43) for Dutch-Ghanaian men compared with rural Ghanaian men. Among women, the odds ratios for being overweight and obese were 3·84 (95 % CI 2·66, 5·53) for urban Ghanaians and 11·4 (95 % CI 5·97, 22·07) for Dutch-Ghanaians compared with their rural Ghanaian counterparts.ConclusionOur current findings give credence to earlier reports of an increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity with urbanization within Africa and migration to industrialized countries. These findings indicate an urgent need to further assess migration-related factors that lead to these increases in overweight and obesity among migrants with non-Western background, and their impact on overweight- and obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes among these populations.
Pensions, fertility, and education
Authors: MEIER VOLKER , WREDE MATTHIAS 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA pay-as-you-go pension scheme is associated with positive externalities of having children and providing them with human capital. In a framework with heterogeneity in productivity, and stochastic and endogenous investment in fertility and education, we discuss internalization policies associated with child benefits in the pension formula. The second-best scheme displays both a benefit contingent on the contributions of children and a purely fertility-related component.
Relationship between birthweight and arterial elasticity in childhood
Authors: Rondó Patricia H.C. , Lemos Jesuana O. , Pereira Joilane A. , Oliveira Julicristie M. , Innocente Luiz Roberto 
Published: September 2008

There is a considerable debate about the potential influence of ‘fetal programming’ on cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. In the present prospective epidemiological cohort study, the relationship between birthweight and arterial elasticity in 472 children between 5 and 8 years of age was assessed. LAEI (large artery elasticity index), SAEI (small artery elasticity index) and BP (blood pressure) were assessed using the HDI/PulseWave™ CR-2000 CardioVascular Profiling System. Blood concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol and its fractions [LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol] and triacylglycerols (triglycerides) were determined by automated enzymatic methods. Insulin was assessed by a chemiluminescent method, insulin resistance by HOMA (homoeostasis model assessment) and CRP (C-reactive protein) by immunonephelometry. Two linear regression models were applied to investigate the relationship between the outcomes, LAEI and SAEI, and the following variables: birthweight, gestational age, glucose, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, insulin, CRP, HOMA, age, gender, waist circumference, per capita income, SBP (systolic BP) and DBP (diastolic BP). LAEI was positively associated with birthweight (P=0.036), waist circumference (P&lt;0.001) and age (P&lt;0.001), and negatively associated with CRP (P=0.024) and SBP (P&lt;0.001). SAEI was positively associated with birthweight (P=0.04), waist circumference (P=0.001) and age (P&lt;0.001), and negatively associated with DBP (P&lt;0.001). Arterial elasticity was decreased in apparently healthy children who had lower birthweights, indicating an earlier atherogenetic susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in adolescence and adult life. Possible explanations for the results include changes in angiogenesis during critical phases of intrauterine life caused by periods of fetal growth inhibition and local haemodynamic anomalies as a way of adaptation to abnormal pressure and flow.
Electron-acoustic microscopy
Authors: Cargill G. Slade 
Published: September 2008

Electron-acoustic microscopy is a new technique enabling us to produce images that show variations in an object's thermal and elastic properties with a resolution on the order of microns. These images appear dramatically different than optical or electron microscope pictures, and contain much information not otherwise available (see figure 1). Because the technique is less than two years old, it is too early to identify with certainty the areas in which electron-acoustic microscopy will be important; we can, however, name a few possibilities:
▸ the non-destructive examination of complex integrated circuits
▸ the in vitro examination of biological materials
▸ the mapping of defects and inhomogeneities in amorphous solids
▸ the recovery of obscured metal imprints, such as the serial numbers on firearms.
Magnetic resonance imaging of primary cerebral gliosarcoma: a report of 15 cases
Authors: Han L. , Zhang X. , Qiu S. , Li X. , Xiong W. , Zhang Y. , Qu H. , Chang R. , Chen B. , Wang W. , Li S. 
Published: September 2008

Background: Gliosarcomas are rare tumors with mixed glial and mesenchymal components. Many of their radiologic features resemble those of other primary brain malignancies. Purpose: To investigate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of gliosarcomas. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the MR images, pathology reports, and clinical information of 11 male and four female patients aged 15–71 years to evaluate the location, morphology, enhancement, and other features of their pathologically confirmed gliosarcomas. Results: Apart from one tumor in the right cerebellar hemisphere, all were supratentorial. Two tumors were intraventricular, and four involved the corpus callosum. The tumors were well demarcated, with an inhomogeneous or cystic appearance and moderate-to-extensive surrounding edema. Thick walls with strong rim and ring-like enhancement were observed in 13 (87%). Seven (47%) showed intratumoral paliform enhancement. Conclusion: Gliosarcoma demonstrates certain characteristic MR features, such as supratentorial and peripheral location, well-demarcated, abutting a dural surface, uneven and thick-walled rim-like or ring enhancement, as well as intratumoral strip enhancement. These findings, combined with patient age, can aid the differential diagnosis of gliosarcomas from more common primary brain tumors.
Bosque: integrated phylogenetic analysis software
Authors: Ramírez-Flandes Salvador , Ulloa Osvaldo 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Summary: Phylogenetic analyses today involve dealing with computer files in different formats and often several computer programs. Although some widely used applications have integrated important functionalities for such analyses, they still work with local resources only: input/output files (users have to manage them) and local computing (users have sometimes to leave their programs, on their desktop computers, running for extended periods of time). To address these problems we have developed ‘Bosque’, a multi-platform client–server software that performs standard phylogenetic tasks either locally or remotely on servers, and integrates the results on a local relational database. Bosque performs sequence alignments and graphical visualization and editing of trees, thus providing a powerful environment that integrates all the steps of phylogenetic analyses.
Availability: http://bosque.udec.cl
Contact: sram@profc.udec.cl
Diseases of the European edible crab (Cancer pagurus): a review
Authors: Stentiford Grant D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractStentiford, G. D. 2008. Diseases of the European edible crab (Cancer pagurus): a review. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1578–1592. The edible crab (Cancer pagurus) supports an important fishery in European waters. The fishery is increasing in size and in relative importance as stocks of marine finfish decline. Despite its importance, though, studies on the pathogens and parasites of this crab species are relatively lacking compared with studies of commercially exploited finfish and molluscan hosts. Recent basic surveys of C. pagurus stocks from the English Channel carried out by the Cefas laboratory at Weymouth have identified a new viral infection (C. pagurus bacilliform virus, CpBV) in juvenile crabs, and several new species of protistan parasite (Hematodinium sp., Paramarteilia canceri, and Enterospora canceri) in the adult population. The histopathology and prevalence of each of these pathogens suggests that each can induce host mortality and, further, that specific pathogens are differentially prevalent in juvenile and adult cohorts from similar geographic locations and at different times of the year. In this review, these newly discovered pathogens are placed in context with previously described bacterial, fungal, protistan, and metazoan pathogens of C. pagurus, and the potential for these pathogens to impact on the health of individuals and populations within the English Channel fishery is discussed.
Antibody Staining of Drosophila Tissues--Helpful Hints
Authors: Rebay Ilaria , Fehon Richard G. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe most common reason for generating antibodies against a particular protein in Drosophila is to examine its pattern of endogenous expression during development. Thus, once an antiserum is shown to stain transfected cells, the next step is to try the antiserum on Drosophila tissues, usually embryos, imaginal discs, or ovaries. This article provides suggestions for optimization of antibody staining in Drosophila tissues.
Estimation of Free Thiols and Disulfide Bonds Using Ellman’s Reagent
Authors: Simpson Richard J. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes a method for quantitating the amount of free thiols and disulfide bond linkages in proteins. It uses the sulfhydryl reagent 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid), or DTNB, which is also referred to as Ellman’s reagent.
Streamlined Protocol for Antibody Staining of Large Numbers of Samples in Drosophila
Authors: Rebay Ilaria , Fehon Richard G. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe most common reason for generating antibodies against a particular protein in Drosophila is to examine its pattern of endogenous expression during development. Thus, once an antibody is shown to stain transfected cells, the next step is to try staining Drosophila tissues, usually embryos (described here), imaginal discs, or ovaries. This streamlined protocol can be used for processing a large number of samples, e.g., screening monoclonal antibodies.
Human Lymphocyte Culture and Chromosome Analysis
Authors: Benn Peter , Delach Judith 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONPhytohaemagglutinin (PHA), a lectin derived from the red kidney bean, is a powerful mitogen for human T-cells. When PHA is added in vitro to whole blood, mitotic cells can be found after 48 h, with a peak mitotic index at ~64-72 h. The convenience of peripheral blood as a source of human cells, the abundance of mitotic cells, and the simplicity of the cell culture technique make this the most convenient approach to study human chromosomes for both clinical and research purposes. This method of chromosome preparation provides metaphase cells that can be stained by a variety of methods or used for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The most common chromosome staining techniques involve exposing fixed preparations to a protease (e.g., trypsin), followed by an appropriate semipermanent stain. The characteristic banding patterns obtained reflect both structural and functional differences in different parts of the chromosomes. The staining procedure described here provides a Giemsa banding pattern using trypsin with Wright stain (i.e., GTW banding). This procedure is reliable and, with only minor modifications, suitable for preparing chromosomes from a variety of human tissues.
Preparation of Human Foreskin Fibroblasts for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture
Authors: Panula Sarita , Reijo Pera Renee A. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONIn order to reduce the risk of immune rejection and zoonosis in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) transplantation recipients, animal-derived components, nonhuman sera, and animal feeder cells need to be removed from hESC culture. To limit the use of animal products, several different human feeder cell types have been tested for hESC culture. These include cells from fetal muscle and skin, as well as adult fallopian tube epithelial cells and adult muscle cells. Human foreskin fibroblasts (hFFs) have been used successfully as feeder cells to support the derivation and undifferentiated growth of hESCs and are commercially available through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). This protocol describes a method for preparing hFFs for hESC culture.
Culturing Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Feeder-Free Conditions: Figure 1.
Authors: McElroy Sohyun L. , Reijo Pera Renee A. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONHuman embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers and proliferate in long-term culture in vitro. hESCs can provide a cell source for the testing of novel therapies, drug screening, and functional genomics applications. Undifferentiated hESCs can be maintained and proliferated on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or human feeder cells. In this protocol, we describe the culture of hESCs in feeder-free conditions on Matrigel with MEF-conditioned medium. This protocol can be used for applications such as genetic modification of hESCs without feeder cell contamination.
Human Germ Cell Lineage Differentiation from Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Kee Kehkooi , Reijo Pera Renee A. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONBiological and ethical constraints hinder studies of human germ cell development despite its importance to reproductive health, including fertility and tumorigenesis. Thus, most of what we know of human germ cell development has been extrapolated from studies in model organisms. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may provide an ideal system for probing the developmental genetics of germ cell formation and differentiation in vitro. The growth factors BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) 4, BMP7, and BMP8b are required for development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in mice. It has been shown that these BMPs significantly increase germ cell differentiation from hESCs in vitro. This protocol describes a method to induce germ cell differentiation from hESCs by the addition of BMPs to hESC differentiation medium. The protocol can be used to study the basic mechanism of germ cell development in human cells.
Coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) of Nuclear Proteins and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) from Arabidopsis
Authors: Fiil Berthe Katrine , Qiu Jin-Long , Petersen Klaus , Petersen Morten , Mundy John 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONTranscriptional reprogramming occurs during development and in response to diverse stimuli and stresses. The isolation and characterization of nuclear proteins, particularly those binding to DNA and chromatin, are therefore important to understanding these processes. Two specific approaches to understanding the function of nuclear proteins involve the characterization of their protein-protein interactions, and of the transcriptional targets of specific transcription factors. Coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) is a straightforward technique to study in vivo protein-protein interactions, and can identify interacting proteins or protein complexes present in cell extracts. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) permits the identification of protein-DNA interactions in pull-down assays using specific antibodies against DNA-binding proteins, such as transcription factors or histone/chromatin-binding proteins. Here, we present detailed protocols for extraction of Arabidopsis seedlings, co-IP of nuclear proteins, and ChIP.
Is Histoplasma capsulatum a native inhabitant of Japan?
Authors: Kikuchi Ken , Sugita Takashi , Makimura Koichi , Urata Kensaku , Someya Takashi , Sasaki Takashi , Kamei Katsuhiko , Niimi Masakazu , Hiramatsu Keiichi , Uehara Yoshimasa 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTHistoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by inhaling spores of the fungal pathogen H. capsulatum and in Japan is considered an imported mycosis. However, some patients in Japan with histoplasmosis have no history of traveling overseas nor of risk of occupational exposure to Histoplasma. To investigate the possibility of native distribution of Histoplasma in Japan, 187 bat guano samples from 67 bat‐inhabited caves in 17 prefectures were collected. These were examined for H. capsulatum by culture and Histoplasma‐specific PCR in three independent laboratories. No H. capsulatum was detected by either method, therefore H. capsulatum is unlikely to be present in bat guano in Japanese caves.
Comparative evaluation ofTrichosporon asahiisusceptibility using ASTY colorimetric microdilution and CLSI M27‐A2 broth microdilution reference methods
Authors: Kalkanci Ayse , Mekha Nanthawan , Poonwan Natteewan , Makimura Koichi , Sugita Takashi 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThein vitroactivity of AMPH‐B, 5‐FC, FLCZ, MCZ, ITCZ, and VRCZ against 50 isolates ofT. asahiiwas determined using CLSI M27‐A2 microdilution and ASTY colorimetric methods. Observed agreement ranged from 96 to 100% according to the drug. Overall, the agreement between two methods was 97.7%. The ASTY colorimetric method was thus determined to be comparable to the CLSI reference method when testing the susceptibility ofT.asahiito a variety of antifungal agents.
Enhancing effects of the chemical adjuvant levamisole on the DNA vaccine pVIR‐P12A‐IL18‐3C
Authors: Huijun Lu , Xiaowei Huo , Ying Zhang , Min Zheng , Mingxiao Ma , Hongyong Zhang , Minglan Jin , Guoshun Shen , Leili Jia , Yue Ji , Xu Li , Kuoshi Jin , Ningyi Jin 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTDNA‐based vaccination is an attractive alternative for overcoming the disadvantages of inactivated virus vaccines; however, DNA vaccines alone often generate only weak immune responses. In this study, the efficacy of LMS as a chemical adjuvant on a DNA vaccine (pVIR‐P12A‐IL18‐3C) encoding the P1‐2A and 3C genes of the FMDV and swine IL‐18, which provides protection against FMDV challenge, was tested. All test pigs were administered booster vaccinations 28 days after the initial inoculation, and were challenged with 1000 ID50 FMDV O/NY00 20 days after the booster vaccination. Positive and negative control groups were inoculated with inactivated virus vaccine and PBS respectively. The DNA vaccine plus LMS induced greater humoral and cell‐mediated responses than the DNA vaccine alone, as evidenced by higher concentrations of neutralizing and specific anti‐FMDV antibodies, and by higher concentrations of T‐lymphocyte proliferation and IFN‐γ production, respectively. FMDV challenge revealed that the DNA vaccine plus LMS provided higher protection than the DNA vaccine alone. This study demonstrates that LMS may be useful as an adjuvant for improving the protective efficiency of DNA vaccination against FMDV in pigs.